Desperate for advice

carol1963_2

I'm hoping against hope that they main thing they are looking for is CCJ's, IVA's or bankruptcy things.

[Deleted User]

carol1963 wrote: »

I'm hoping against hope that they main thing they are looking for is CCJ's, IVA's or bankruptcy things.

Yes of course that is it.

Does the job pay well? (I certainly hope so after they have put you through the ringer and it’s worth all this worry...)

Undervalued

carol1963 wrote: »

I'm hoping against hope that they main thing they are looking for is CCJ's, IVA's or bankruptcy things.

They will be looking for two things.....

If you have significant debts you are statistically slightly more likely act dishonestly or be subject to blackmail. Hard to swallow if (as I'm sure is the case) you are totally honest.

Secondly they may be using it as an indication of character if they infer that the debts came from living beyond your means as opposed to careful financial planning (e.g a sensible mortgage or car loan relative to income).

Solicitors handle significant amounts of client's money so will (and indeed may be obliged by their regulator to) carry out similar checks on potential staff to a bank or financial institution.

carol1963_2

We got into a pickle when my husband was ill through mental health issues and had time off work, I was caring for him and all the household bills so we had to take out pay day loans (I know).

I'm sure I won't be handling money as am I am being employed as secretarial support.

andygb

carol1963 wrote: »

We got into a pickle when my husband was ill through mental health issues and had time off work, I was caring for him and all the household bills so we had to take out pay day loans (I know).

I'm sure I won't be handling money as am I am being employed as secretarial support.

Very best of luck with the job.
There is a chance that you will be handling cash, particularly if you are working for a solicitor or partner, because clients sometimes pay cash for their bills, and this will result in the secretary allocating the money to the correct file number and then passing it to the accounts section.
You may also have to receive cash on behalf of fee earners for expenses and the like.

carol1963_2

Thank you.

Looks like I've pooped it then! And I've signed off JSA after being out of work for months.

sangie595

Deleted%20User wrote: »

Yes of course that is it.

Does the job pay well? (I certainly hope so after they have put you through the ringer and it’s worth all this worry...)

They haven't put anyone through the ringer. The employer is acting quite normally. Most people prefer people dealing with their personal legal information to be handled by people who are trustworthy and honest, hence the reason to check.

carol1963 wrote: »

We got into a pickle when my husband was ill through mental health issues and had time off work, I was caring for him and all the household bills so we had to take out pay day loans (I know).

I'm sure I won't be handling money as am I am being employed as secretarial support.

It's not about handling money. It's about the fact that you could be bribed to give information to someone; that your are handling private, legal and financial information about people; and other matters of confidentiality and security. Think about the information a legal secretary might haves access to, including bank details, personal information, financial settlements....

carol1963_2

Right now I'm in pieces so I just might not attend, I can't cope anymore.

julicorn

carol1963 wrote: »

Right now I'm in pieces so I just might not attend, I can't cope anymore.

Please don't let people scare you out of this. If you don't attend then you've lost already - there's every chance that they'll be fine with what they're seeing in your file, especially if you can explain your circumstances. :heart2:

Undervalued

julicorn wrote: »

Please don't let people scare you out of this. If you don't attend then you've lost already - there's every chance that they'll be fine with what they're seeing in your file, especially if you can explain your circumstances. :heart2:

Absolutely.