Can I say no?

Bod_1234

I have worked for the same employer for several decades. I am being pressured to provide some personal information I'm not comfortable to disclose, including information relating to outside of work, and details they should already have on file anyway.

I have asked how this information was going to be used and got vague answers, however I am being pushed to provide it at short notice.  Can I just refuse?

(Edit: trimmed as it was a bit too specific)

On-the-coast

TBH this sounds like a “normal get to know” slide. I must have done this sort of a dozen times over the last 20 years.  Most people quite enjoy talking about themselves and their interests (in the context of team introductions - and sometimes as providing an aspirational path if your a more senior employee)
if you’re a private person then I suggest you a) ask (gently) the purpose of the request
b) complete it but give very limited non- professional details (reading and walking are good deflectors). 

Don’t overthink it would be my recommendation. 

But if it really worries you explain that to your boss. 

Undervalued

Bod_1234 said:

I have worked for the same employer for several decades. I am being pressured to provide some personal information I'm not comfortable to disclose, including information relating to outside of work, and details they should already have on file anyway.

I have asked how this information was going to be used and got vague answers, however I am being pushed to provide it at short notice.  Can I just refuse?

(Edit: trimmed as it was a bit too specific)

If they should already have the details on file I fail to see the problem?

It is not generally unreasonable for your main employer to want to know what, if any, "outside work" you do. In fact it is quite common to require the employer's permission.

Unless there are exceptional reasons to refuse, in which case you should politely but clearly say why, I would answer their questions. Otherwise a refusal will certainly raise suspicions which may be completely unnecessary. 

[Deleted User]

Is employer unionised?

My employer didn't have my phone number (for decades) and it was a bone of contention for a long time

They used the rational of emergency/ next of kin notification ( I informed them they could have this if required from a few selected colleagues).

What pressures are they applying for information?

NBLondon

Bod_1234 said:

and details they should already have on file anyway.

I had a series of arguments with our HR department a few years back when they asked everybody for personal details.  My first response was "the information has not changed since I provided it when I joined the organisation" which confused the HR drones into wittering about legal requirements.   When I asked them to quote the legislation they passed the buck upwards.

I ended up with the Head of HR admitting that the records were in a mess because his predecessor was useless.  When I asked how that convinced me that it was a good idea to hand over personal information to a department that couldn't look after it - he couldn't answer.

The sensible approach is for the company to provide the information they already have on file and ask you to confirm or update.

MattMattMattUK

Bod_1234 said:

I have worked for the same employer for several decades. I am being pressured to provide some personal information I'm not comfortable to disclose, including information relating to outside of work, and details they should already have on file anyway.

I have asked how this information was going to be used and got vague answers, however I am being pushed to provide it at short notice.  Can I just refuse?

(Edit: trimmed as it was a bit too specific)

It really depends on your employer, the job involved, your contract, any potential regulatory changes etc. With information you say "details they should already have on file anyway", if you believe that they should already have that information they why are you worried about confirming that information? The reality is that without telling people information you probably do no want to disclose on an internet forum then no one can give you a definitive answer. 

You could speak to ACAS and ask them, you also need to weigh up how much being difficult is going to impact your employment. As an employer they are bound by both employment and data protection legislation, they are very unlikely to be collecting information just for fun, or to be nosey, so I really would think about it carefully before saying no. 

MattMattMattUK

NBLondon said:

Bod_1234 said:

and details they should already have on file anyway.

I had a series of arguments with our HR department a few years back when they asked everybody for personal details.  My first response was "the information has not changed since I provided it when I joined the organisation" which confused the HR drones into wittering about legal requirements.   When I asked them to quote the legislation they passed the buck upwards.

I ended up with the Head of HR admitting that the records were in a mess because his predecessor was useless.  When I asked how that convinced me that it was a good idea to hand over personal information to a department that couldn't look after it - he couldn't answer.

The sensible approach is for the company to provide the information they already have on file and ask you to confirm or update.

The sensible approach is to not always be difficult just because you can be difficult. 

Undervalued

arctic_ghost said:

Is employer unionised?

My employer didn't have my phone number (for decades) and it was a bone of contention for a long time

They used the rational of emergency/ next of kin notification ( I informed them they could have this if required from a few selected colleagues).

What pressures are they applying for information?

It really isn't unreasonable for your employer to want your phone number.

If they misuse the information then that is a matter to be addressed. However just because your are concerned that they might misuse it is, in itself, not a valid reason to withhold it.

Unless there are real legitimate concerns, I fail to see how it benefits the employee to be difficult.

[Deleted User]

Undervalued said:

arctic_ghost said:

Is employer unionised?

My employer didn't have my phone number (for decades) and it was a bone of contention for a long time

They used the rational of emergency/ next of kin notification ( I informed them they could have this if required from a few selected colleagues).

What pressures are they applying for information?

Unless there are real legitimate concerns, I fail to see how it benefits the employee to be difficult.

If they paid my bill, fine. They didn't so I politely declined to provide.

As I indicated, if there was an emergency they could get from select trusted workmates, however as I pointed out to them my wife wouldn't be sitting around the house on the off chance they were looking to phone my house.

TBagpuss

Bod_1234 said:

I have worked for the same employer for several decades. I am being pressured to provide some personal information I'm not comfortable to disclose, including information relating to outside of work, and details they should already have on file anyway.

I have asked how this information was going to be used and got vague answers, however I am being pushed to provide it at short notice.  Can I just refuse?

(Edit: trimmed as it was a bit too specific)

I think it depends on what the information is.
Things such as your home address / proof of ID / right to work etc - not unreasonable to ask or to provide it.
If they are asking for things such as information about extended family, hobbies etc, or information about your health then it's reasonable to ask for clarification about why it is being requested. 

TELLIT01

Undervalued said:

Bod_1234 said:

I have worked for the same employer for several decades. I am being pressured to provide some personal information I'm not comfortable to disclose, including information relating to outside of work, and details they should already have on file anyway.

I have asked how this information was going to be used and got vague answers, however I am being pushed to provide it at short notice.  Can I just refuse?

(Edit: trimmed as it was a bit too specific)

If they should already have the details on file I fail to see the problem?

It is not generally unreasonable for your main employer to want to know what, if any, "outside work" you do. In fact it is quite common to require the employer's permission.

Unless there are exceptional reasons to refuse, in which case you should politely but clearly say why, I would answer their questions. Otherwise a refusal will certainly raise suspicions which may be completely unnecessary. 

The OP hasn't said the employer wants to know about other work they do.  They have apparently asked what they do 'outside of work' which is a totally different thing, and is broadly asking about outside interests.