Identity checks...

[perplexed]

Hi all,

Been working on client site since April; all of a sudden everyone, permies, contractors alike, have been asked to provide documentation for proof of identity - for no reason other than it's a "company audit". We've all been asked to hold off as CRB checks will be performed soon enough so "no need to duplicate the process".

I'm just curious as to people's views on this. Prove my identity? Well, I've been working on their systems long enough, no such vetting occured upon starting the gig. CRB checks? It's far from a place needing security clearance, ffs, not that I've any skeletons to hide.

I'm just always wary about giving personal identification documentation out, tbh. Part of me wants to refuse out of principle, other part of me just tells me it's an easy enough gig for the money...

Just wondering if anyone has ever encountered something similar, just seems boneheaded to me to run CRB checks as part of an audit when people are already on site... and have been for a while...

[Old Greg]

Hi all,

Been working on client site since April; all of a sudden everyone, permies, contractors alike, have been asked to provide documentation for proof of identity - for no reason other than it's a "company audit". We've all been asked to hold off as CRB checks will be performed soon enough so "no need to duplicate the process".

I'm just curious as to people's views on this. Prove my identity? Well, I've been working on their systems long enough, no such vetting occured upon starting the gig. CRB checks? It's far from a place needing security clearance, ffs, not that I've any skeletons to hide.

I'm just always wary about giving personal identification documentation out, tbh. Part of me wants to refuse out of principle, other part of me just tells me it's an easy enough gig for the money...

Just wondering if anyone has ever encountered something similar, just seems boneheaded to me to run CRB checks as part of an audit when people are already on site... and have been for a while...

Tell them that you charge a £25 + VAT admin fee for providing identity documentation.

[perplexed]

Tell them that you charge a £25 + VAT admin fee for providing identity documentation.

I like your thinking

[SimonMac]

I check to see the name sewn into my underpants, if I am who I think I am I have passed my own stringent checks

[PinkPoshRat]

I didn't think that you needed to prove ID if you're using your ltd.

If they needed to satisfy your entitlement to work, then I could understand them asking you to prove who you are etc - but a CRB check doesn't prove your entitlement as I'm sure you're already aware. If as part of the conditions of work you have ticked some boxes which ask you to confirm whether or not you have ever had any criminal convictions, I can understand them running CRBs, but on everyone?

If you can charge them an admin fee, brilliant! I've never thought of that before.

[perplexed]

I check to see the name sewn into my underpants, if I am who I think I am I have passed my own stringent checks

I used to do the same, till one day I looked and found my wife's name.

I then realised it was a weekend...

[northernladuk]

New(ish) legislation has made it the companies responsibility to make sure people working for them are eligble to work in the UK. Agents (I believe) are under the same obligation so will often be asked by them to supply similar evidence.

I have had the same request from two different clients to give them a copy of my passport to prove I can work in the UK. I saw no problems in doing this, I have already given a lot more important info to the agents/client to be paid. Photocopied it, signed it and handed it in just like everyone else. No probs.

You could of course argue it, kick up a stink and then be the only one in the entire organisation that doesn't which would make you highly popular.

Choice is yours.

[perplexed]

I'm well aware of those regulations.

I'm just wary this isn't the reason, more so that some pen pusher can tick the odd box. And if you worked here, you'd know why I would be worried - organised it ain't.

I'll probably provide the information. My rationale for seking people's thoughts is due to the request coming mid-contract; whereas the relevance of confirming I am who I say I am would surely have been prior to the start date.

[northernladuk]

I check to see the name sewn into my underpants, if I am who I think I am I have passed my own stringent checks

My passport doesn't say Hugo Boss. They must have made a mistake.

[northernladuk]

I'm well aware of those regulations.

I'm just wary this isn't the reason, more so that some pen pusher can tick the odd box. And if you worked here, you'd know why I would be worried - organised it ain't.

I'll probably provide the information. My rationale for seking people's thoughts is due to the request coming mid-contract; whereas the relevance of confirming I am who I say I am would surely have been prior to the start date.

Ah ok. Well an audit is what it says. A re-check of what they think is the status to make absolutely sure so can happen anytime and probably more than once. I wouldn't be too concerned about this aspect.

The clients organisation I can't comment on. That would have to be a judgement call from you. If you were worried you could chase down the source of these and sit with them while they confirm and then watch them destroy your info.