Reply to: Client demanding evidence of activity during downtime

[MontyD]

Any downtime in between contracts you can state as 'business development' - I have been asked to provide this evidence before and have done so by providing evidence of next roles I have been applying for.

This!

[uk contractor]

And breathe !

...there is ALWAYS one!

[Seahorse17]

Didn't you Instagram before/during/after pics? You must have some evidence that you did what you said you did. Unless you didn't...

What were you banged up for?

[northernladuk]

Good to know.

So if that covers whether you've been in prison or not, what would they be looking for in the bank statements?

From what I was told it was just to make sure your just carrying on normally in the community. Carrying on your normal life at home, not in prison, no long holidays in Afghanistan and no weekend trips current or ex. Soviet states.

As I say really depends on exactly what type of check. Is it just financial or security related.

[TheFaQQer]

So if that covers whether you've been in prison or not, what would they be looking for in the bank statements?

How susceptible to blackmail you might be.

[Ascot]

Good to know.

So if that covers whether you've been in prison or not, what would they be looking for in the bank statements?

See how desperately short of funds you are?
Check whether you have a gambling habit?

[SueEllen]

Good to know.

So if that covers whether you've been in prison or not, what would they be looking for in the bank statements?

Whether you are associated with certain terrorist/political activities?

[gables]

We use Disclosure Scotland to do a check in England as well.

Good to know.

So if that covers whether you've been in prison or not, what would they be looking for in the bank statements?

[kaiser78]

Its not unusual at all quite common now. Some want everything others want nothing agencies tell you its industry standard practice which is pure industry std BS most of the time. All clients are different though a lot is to do with how much or how little development time the compliance team have had as I have gone onsite next day many times in Investment Banking & other times had to wait up to 6 weeks & provide a life story & every single bank statement going back 5 years! MOD though I think its usually DV depends on the role though. SC is minimum required I think for them.

And breathe !

[uk contractor]

Its not unusual at all quite common now. Some want everything others want nothing agencies tell you its industry standard practice which is pure industry std BS most of the time. All clients are different though a lot is to do with how much or how little development time the compliance team have had as I have gone onsite next day many times in Investment Banking & other times had to wait up to 6 weeks & provide a life story & every single bank statement going back 5 years! MOD though I think its usually DV depends on the role though. SC is minimum required I think for them.

[SueEllen]

Here in Scotland that would show up in a Disclosure Scotland check, I'm assuming the OP is in England, is there not a similar check?

We use Disclosure Scotland to do a check in England as well.

[kaiser78]

Any downtime in between contracts you can state as 'business development' - I have been asked to provide this evidence before and have done so by providing evidence of next roles I have been applying for.

[gables]

They are worried you were in prison.

Here in Scotland that would show up in a Disclosure Scotland check, I'm assuming the OP is in England, is there not a similar check?

[doconline]

Good morning all,

I've been verbally offered a role (non SC) with an MOD client and they are asking for references for every contract going back 5 years. During this time I had 6 months out to undertake some house renovations and they are demanding to see receipts covering that whole period to show that I was doing what I said I was doing.

While I have a couple of invoices from contractors as evidence of somebody else undertaking works in the first month I literally have nothing covering the purchases of materials for the work I did myself. It was all sand, stone and cement mostly cash in hand from the local quarry (VAT free) so I don't even have bank statements as evidence.

If I'd just told the agent I'd been out of work for those 6 months I guess I wouldn't be in this situation but then again maybe I wouldn't have had an offer of interview in the first place. It's a highly unusual situation and I'm wondering if this is something that is becoming commonplace or if it's a one off. Hopefully they'll see reason when I speak with the agent again on Monday.

Did you not buy anything from B&Q / Wickes etc in that time that would show up on your bank statements? Paint, tools etc? I had this before my current role as I had taken a few months off to renovate a property. I was told it was to show general living activity (and not a stay at Her Majesties pleasure) but also so they could see that there was no other payments for work going into my account. Although I'm not sure how this proves anything as if I was contracting the money would have gone into my business account anyway. I wouldn't worry about it, if you have nothing to hide (except your cash purchases ) it shouldn't throw any red flags for the contract.

[SueEllen]

Good morning all,

I've been verbally offered a role (non SC) with an MOD client and they are asking for references for every contract going back 5 years. During this time I had 6 months out to undertake some house renovations and they are demanding to see receipts covering that whole period to show that I was doing what I said I was doing.

While I have a couple of invoices from contractors as evidence of somebody else undertaking works in the first month I literally have nothing covering the purchases of materials for the work I did myself. It was all sand, stone and cement mostly cash in hand from the local quarry (VAT free) so I don't even have bank statements as evidence.

Tax dodger!

Do you have before, during and immediately after photos that you have to show family and friends? If you have them are the photos digital as they will have a date/time stamp on it. You really want the during and immediately after ones.

Do you have a good friend, acquaintance or neighbour who is a teacher, doctor, lawyer, member of the judiciary, chartered accountant or minister of religion who can vouch for you during this time period?

Both of these will cover what the agent wants.

If I'd just told the agent I'd been out of work for those 6 months I guess I wouldn't be in this situation but then again maybe I wouldn't have had an offer of interview in the first place. It's a highly unusual situation and I'm wondering if this is something that is becoming commonplace or if it's a one off. Hopefully they'll see reason when I speak with the agent again on Monday.

No you would still have to prove you were out of work.