Is it legal for employers to ask for qualifications and references after 12 years

johnroberts2k

If an employer had bad record keeping and isn't up-to-date with qualifications etc are they legally allowed to ask for it after 12 years? like asking for proof of address, references, qualifications etc. This is all retrospective and the references back then may no longer be references anymore. Plus the qualification expectation presently might be higher than when they hired. 

[Deleted User]

johnroberts2k said:

If an employer had bad record keeping and isn't up-to-date with qualifications etc are they legally allowed to ask for it after 12 years? like asking for proof of address, references, qualifications etc. This is all retrospective and the references back then may no longer be references anymore. Plus the qualification expectation presently might be higher than when they hired. 

 Completely legal and they have a duty to ensure you are legally allowed to work in the uk and in some professions. 

Brynsam

They have bad record keeping...or they are suspicious about something? Either way, they  can certainly ask.

Hasbeen

johnroberts2k said:

If an employer had bad record keeping and isn't up-to-date with qualifications etc are they legally allowed to ask for it after 12 years? like asking for proof of address, references, qualifications etc. This is all retrospective and the references back then may no longer be references anymore. Plus the qualification expectation presently might be higher than when they hired. 

They can even ask to see your passport etc.

TELLIT01

I don't see the problem with them asking for proof of qualifications at any time during employment, but trying to go back 12 years for references is likely to be difficult in the extreme.  Thinking back over my working life, at least 3 of my former employers didn't even exist 12 years down the road.

AskAsk

i would think showing them your qualifications will be fine, but references would be doubtful as i doubt an employer would even give a reference after that long.

JGB1955

Proof of qualifications sounds fine - I would want to be assured that the surgeon operating on me was qualified.  References - also fine.  Proof of anything required for a DBS check, also fine.

DCFC79

Its perfectly fine OP, you mention the qualification exlectation might be higher than when hired, Id give them qualifications at the time of hiring plus other you have gained since then (possibly overkill). 
Proof of address is fine, maybe they want to check you live within x number of miles of the office, employer would be able to give a better answer.
References as you say aren't going to exist after 12 years or be unable to remember who you chose.

Id like to know why you would ask the question if its legal for the employer to ask fpr this information ?
Its poor admin yes, annoying yes but its definitley ok.

TELLIT01

Given the topic title there is a natural, if not necessarily justified, tendency to turn the question round to why there would be an issue with providing proof of qualifications.  If somebody lies about qualifications at the point of application they would have an understandable reluctance to provide evidence of them.