Employment history

spicegirl81

Hello,
I gave my employer my employment history covering 10 years.
They checked as well my criminal records and is clear.
I stated that I got my high school diploma in 2000. Now they are asking to cover the gap from my diploma to my first job referred to them (15 years of life). 
Is basically give them the information about my all life. Is it ok?
I don't think it is respectful?
Any opinions?

Mark_d

I think it all depends on context.  If you're applying for a job, employers like to see that you've been achieving things throughout your life, rather than taking a year out to sit on the beach.

If you're applying for the MoD then it would be concerning if you were working for a foreign secret service for a portion of your life

Royoftherovers2024

My opinion.

Depends how much the job is worth to you.

Is there a reason you are hesitate to give them further information.

The likelihood is that they won't contact the employers from 15 years plus ago anyway.

As mentioned above, it all depends on who the job is with, could you tell us any further details without identifying them.

LinLui

Are you in the USA? Because we don't have high school diploma's in the UK. 

If you want the role then you comply withthe request. If you have nothing to hide then you have no reason to worry. 

Employers don't need to be respectful - there will be someone else who wants the job if you don't.

elsien

It’s got nothing to do within respect. 

In what way is asking you to explain  a gap in your CV disrespectful?

 (As an aside, what is it with people demanding “respect“ all over the place nowadays - It’s a term so overused to become meaningless. )

Depending on the job role it could be about protecting vulnerable people (for example).  Although your DBS in this country may be clear, they want to check that you weren’t 15 years in a foreign jail somewhere. 

A 15 year gap is a long time. My jobs in care have always wanted me to provide a full job history. 

What is the issue with saying “I do not have a work history for this time because I was a carer for a family member” or “I was travelling” or whatever the reason was that you weren’t working.

But that above it very much depends on the job role and why the employer is asking. 

Undervalued

spicegirl81 said:

Hello,
I gave my employer my employment history covering 10 years.
They checked as well my criminal records and is clear.
I stated that I got my high school diploma in 2000. Now they are asking to cover the gap from my diploma to my first job referred to them (15 years of life). 
Is basically give them the information about my all life. Is it ok?
I don't think it is respectful?
Any opinions?

Are you in the UK ?

This reply assumes you are and may not be correct in other countries.

It may or may not be "respectful" but that is irrelevant as it is lawful.

With a very few exceptions which are prohibited by law, a prospective employer can ask anything they like.

Then there are some questions which, whilst not unlawful in themselves, would be unwise to ask as they might leave the employer open to allegations of unlawful discrimination, even if that wasn't their intention.

Beyond that if you find their questions disrespectful then your only option is to refuse to answer and almost certainly not be offered the job.

"Respect" is generally something to be earned rather than demanded!

TELLIT01

If all they are asking is start and leave dates plus job title I would just provide it.  The likelihood of them trying to follow up on that information is close to nil.  Many companies from my early employment no longer exist.