Job Application Turned Bad!

lemmym12

I want an apology

I want to make a point of complaining now so should something arise from my current employer off the back of this, I can demonstrate that it happened after the company breached my confidential application

I want to understand if I am entitled to anything if it’s proven/agreed that they have breached my confidential data and allowed that information to be passed on to other employees and other people outside of their business.

Chickenlips

My personal opinion is that I agree with the other posters.

I am afraid that if you attempt to pursue this with the hops of proving this incident occurred and by finding out if you're entitled to something, this will become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

At this stage, you have not had any negative consequences (bar gossiping) and it appears little attention has been paid to this matter.

If you pursue this and kick up a fuss, you could find yourself creating issues for yourself. Your current employer could decide to have mandatory credit searches for your role knowing you'd fail, which would result in you losing your job. Unless you could prove what happened (which seems unlikely as it sounds as though a casual conversation between friends), you would inadvertently create the situation you fear.

I would suggest you keep your head low and try not to draw attention to this matter.

If matters change and you feel you are being treated differently because of this situation (but without you doing anything to stir the pot... so to speak) I'd discuss it with ACAS.

Without evidence that this happened and without more than a feeling your career will be affected, you have nothing to gain from this.

In the future, even if you suspect this is why you don't get jobs or promotions, you'd throw good money after bad trying to prove it.

Pick your battles.

[Deleted User]

You can't make the clock go back. Whatever has happened has happened. Not only could making waves make this worse with your current employer, it could also be spread through the network that you are someone to avoid employing or interviewing because you turn on the prospective employer. To be honest, your attitude is a little over zealous. Take a step back, think.

There may have been some unhelpful communication but that often happens, and its very difficult to prove who said what to whom. You know of two suspects, many others you don't know could also have talked 'in confidence' to a mate/acquaintance (like an admin assistant, or someone who arranged the interview).., it only takes one instance for the rumour mill to start working. Someone could have looked over your shoulder and seen something you didn't want them to see.., anything could have occurred.

As others have said, keep your head down and concentrate on fixing what you can fix i.e. your credit file. Urgently. Ignore any snide comments, they may not even apply to you, there could be someone else job hunting in your company. Don't add fuel to the fire.

shortcrust

lemmym12 wrote: »

I want an apology

I want to make a point of complaining now so should something arise from my current employer off the back of this, I can demonstrate that it happened after the company breached my confidential application

I want to understand if I am entitled to anything if it’s proven/agreed that they have breached my confidential data and allowed that information to be passed on to other employees and other people outside of their business.

You might get all those things. All it’ll cost you is your reputation and future employment prospects.

Honestly, if you pursue it you’ll look a little unhinged and no one will want to have you work for them.

Kentish_Dave

My advice, in line with the others, is to grow a thicker skin, and put it behind you.

Trying to force an apology is a fool’s game. It would be insincere, meaningless, and would likely blow up in your face.

You’d be better served by trying to learn to care less about people finding out some true facts about you and ensuring that your credit history doesn’t cost you any other jobs.

MEM62

lemmym12 wrote: »

They have only found out after someone at the prospective employer told someone senior at my current employer

Where is your proof. At present you have made an assumption. If you want to enforce whatever rights you may have you first have to prove your case and I think are a long was off that.

lemmym12 wrote: »

I don’t think it’s entirely comparable but I would consider this a significant data breach.

Under current privacy legislation, the release of a single individual's data is not classed as a significant breach and you will not persuade any of the regulatory bodies to consider it as such.

lemmym12 wrote: »

I want an apology

From whom? For what? You haven't made your case yet so this is therefore unlikely.

I am not unsympathetic to your situation but you need to be realistic about what is needed of you want to peruse this. As others have said, draw a line and move on.

getmore4less

lemmym12 wrote: »

If you think releasing confidential information about my job application and reasons for not getting that job is networking, I don’t think you can help me here.

I don’t think it’s entirely comparable but I would consider this a significant data breach, like someone accessing your credit profile without your permission.

You have a lot to learn about how this stuff works in the real world.

Job hunting is not a secret process even telling family and friends is risky.

Your application to the prospective employer could have been known by potentially a lot of people.

Fairly standard practice when considering an application is to poll the current employees that have worked at your previous jobs if they knew you, often the simple question would you hire them sometimes more probing questions.

Anyone of those and those more involved in the recruitment process may network with previous people they have worked with and let slip you were looking

Agencies can be very leaky when it comes to job hunting

Most industries are a lot smaller than people realise, reputation spreads through networking get on board if you want to survive and progress.

Currently you are guessing how this happened.
It was two month later when you found out and you have no idea of the gossip chain or what the Chinese whispers have done to the initial leak.

jonnygee2

I have no desire to get anyone in trouble but the company in question have a duty to keep my application confidential and they absolutely failed to do that. It has definitely put me in a disadvantage at my current employer too.

Let's say you had a 'smoking gun' - an email about your credit check sent to your manager for example - you might be able report this to the ICO and eventually seek some sort of small compensation claim under the data protection act. Wouldn't be huge, but a small amount.

Your main problem right now is that you have no evidence or idea about how the information got out. For all you can prove, it was one of your close friends talking to someone who works there. And if the information was only ever passed by word of mouth, there isn't going to be anything for the ICO to investigate anyway.

And if you went looking for this 'smoking gun', you'd most likely not find anything and make the whole situation a lot worse.

If you really want to take some action, I would send a short, factual email to their HR department outlining what happened, being clear that you do not know for sure the 'leak' came from them, but reminding them they have no right to share any information, and explicitly withdraw any consent to share or store necessary data about you with any third party.

Don't be surprised if news of any action you take swiftly reaches your seniors again though...

Gavin83

getmore4less wrote: »

Fairly standard practice when considering an application is to poll the current employees that have worked at your previous jobs if they knew you, often the simple question would you hire them sometimes more probing questions.

Too right. I'd guarantee you if I was potentially hiring a member of staff and they'd previously worked with someone I knew I'd be asking for 'off the record' opinions. I'm sure 99% of people would, you learn far more this way than via official methods.

There was a fairly senior manager at my company who lost a lucrative 6 figure salary job offer (was a £40k pay rise) because one of the hiring managers asked a colleague of mine for their opinion. Obviously it wasn't complimentary. This colleague was much further down the hierarchy as well. A lesson on why you should always be nice to everyone, whatever their position in the company.

System

Moving from one company to another that are in the similar area of work, it's not uncommon for directors to know each other, play golf etc.


My missus works for an extremely large international company and she knows nearly everyone in upper management at her competitors. They speak quite freely to one another for advice and guidance etc.