Background check / unemployment check

[FatLazyContractor]

Not just for permies had two of these for contracts in the last two years. It was easy to modify the dates on an airline e-ticket, which now "proved" I was on a vacation during a 6 weeks period with no contract. (they didn't accept the fact I was employed through my own limited company)

The agent? or the Client?

[Eirikur]

The agent? or the Client?

The agency that did the checking on behalf of the recruitment agency

[FatLazyContractor]

I'd have no second thoughts to ask them if they really understand what contracting means and how it works.

Tough luck, I won't do business with such idiots.

[old chad]

Just had the list of required references come through for I new job I got. 10 years of agency (not client) references plus 5 years of unbroken refernces, no any breaks in contract need to be backed up by accountant of benefits office references! I didn't need that detail for my SC clearance!
Didn't manage to put down all the details they want so waiting to see if it is acceptable to the client, not holding my breath.

[Eirikur]

The most annoying thing with these checks are the personal references. Except from annoying your mates what purpose do they serve?
Every time this happened, I supplied the answer to the reference questions myself to the person providing the personal reference.

[uk contractor]

Going through this BS now for several roles not sure I will pass all of it either so have backup contracts I am working on as well. I cannot prove a few months here & there 5 years ago what I did for a few months between roles on the bench if they really insist on that they have wasted their time with me its so OTT. For MOD, Government or NHS perhaps surely Police & Credit Checks are good enough & demonstrate sound character & no prison time.

These checks are getting ridiculous not sure its the clients either think its more like some of the larger agencies want to cover themselves. I have worked at many banks as a contractor most do not bother with references they just hire you as they find you some will take a credit check or police check but thats about it as personal references are worthless & a lot of HR will not confirm contractor details anyway anymore.

When you hear in the national news today an extremist jihadi parent is working at the MOD post office it makes you realise how pointless these checks can be

[theroyale]

Wow, ridiculous and surprising some of the stories here about history checking. One of the primary reasons I chose to be an IT contractor was so that I could multi-task more, i.e. spend time doing things that aren't related to IT or the corporate world. This financial year I have worked about 6 months (out of choice), last fin yr I did 8 months (again out of choice).

Unless you're a really good friend of mine or my spouse it's none of your business what I was doing with my life those other months. It seems a gross invasion of privacy (I am fine with "standard" CRB or Credit Checks).

I wouldn't pursue any of those contract opportunities quoted on this thread - the moment you're asking about the rest of my life I'll drop you and look for something else, thank you very much. Preferably this happens after I've impressed the client at interview: we'll see then about how everyone feels about losing a quality resource working on their project.

[northernladuk]

Wow, ridiculous and surprising some of the stories here about history checking. One of the primary reasons I chose to be an IT contractor was so that I could multi-task more, i.e. spend time doing things that aren't related to IT or the corporate world. This financial year I have worked about 6 months (out of choice), last fin yr I did 8 months (again out of choice).

I would hardly say it's ridiculous. Much of it is legislation, others is just based on risk. Not many banks can say they haven't been a victim of theft from insiders working for them for example.

Unless you're a really good friend of mine or my spouse it's none of your business what I was doing with my life those other months. It seems a gross invasion of privacy (I am fine with "standard" CRB or Credit Checks).

Suit yourself.

I wouldn't pursue any of those contract opportunities quoted on this thread - the moment you're asking about the rest of my life I'll drop you and look for something else, thank you very much. Preferably this happens after I've impressed the client at interview: we'll see then about how everyone feels about losing a quality resource working on their project.

It many cases you will be told up front and in others you will be expected to use some common sense and know that a financial organisation will need checks and defence will need vetting to some level etc.

And losing a quality resource? They won't bat an eyelid because regardless of your quality you are a risk to them and that trumps everything.

[cerrone]

Instead of starting a new thread, i thought i'd tag on to the bottom of this one, it seems relevant and i couldn't find anything using search

So, I've been contracting for the last 4 or 5 years for the same Co, through the same Agency with breaks inbetween (sometimes a week sometimes 3 months).
Everytime I receive a new offer I have to go through the same background checks, employment history, basic CRB, address history, utility bills.. etc.etc. and everytime i say to them, you already have all these details, I've been with your Agency for the last 4/5 years...
Is it just me or do any of you get this?

cheers
(please move to a new topic if it's not relevant to this thread ta)!

[SueEllen]

Wow, ridiculous and surprising some of the stories here about history checking. One of the primary reasons I chose to be an IT contractor was so that I could multi-task more, i.e. spend time doing things that aren't related to IT or the corporate world. This financial year I have worked about 6 months (out of choice), last fin yr I did 8 months (again out of choice).

Unless you're a really good friend of mine or my spouse it's none of your business what I was doing with my life those other months. It seems a gross invasion of privacy (I am fine with "standard" CRB or Credit Checks).

Those checks are just to tick boxes they don't prove anything and they also don't actually ask do you know what the person was doing. They just ask you to confirm the person as far as you are aware wasn't up to something dodgy. You may not be aware that on a few occasions people ask others for references and they don't answer the reference seeker - this is the standard legal response when you can't give a satisfactory reference about someone.


Plus it's up to you, the person being referenced, to state to the agency that you were employed by the limited you work through and your accountant can prove this as you had a pay roll running.

Also when I was permie I had to be personally referenced as well as professionally referenced for a role because I had a missing few months e.g. gaps between university and work, gaps on my electoral roll registration.

What amused me was that as a 20-something year old I could get a couple of my 20-something year old mates to provide the reference. The only thing they had to do was state they had known me for over 5 years. While I was tempted to choose random people I choose those who sounded more respectable.