Latest background check request

**nomadd** · 8 August 2013, 16:24

Originally posted by ContractorsSpouse View Post

After jumping through many background check related hoops, we have one final request from the client’s agent in relation to a recent gap in contracts;

“Please provide a personal referee for this time stating that you weren't doing anything unlawful.”

Oh, come on. Really? How can anyone know whether a person is or isn't doing anything unlawful?

Just wondering how common this type of request this, and who would people use for such a reference?

PS: No, we will NOT be telling the agent to stuff their contract...

Yes, it's getting common.

I use my accountant.

Never had a problem with this approach.

**ladymuck** · 8 August 2013, 16:26

I've had this a few times cos I do have a couple of long breaks. I don't really see it as an issue, it's another annoying hoop to jump through though.

You could spend £25 and send them a CRB check that you can do yourself online via Disclosure Scotland - if you were banged up, it'd show on there. Or, you could just get 'a professional' to answer a couple of numpty questions every now and then. I do the latter as I have a friend in CID who is more than happy to be my referee. That usually does the trick.

**northernladuk** · 8 August 2013, 17:27

Yup had this a couple of times. At least one of them only needed bank statements to show that I hadn't been detained or out of country. The transactions proved I was at large in society. The others were as described in the OP's post. I also used a friend in the plod as a referee.

**BrilloPad** · 8 August 2013, 17:57

Plan B - giving contracts a reference for time they were idle.

**SueEllen** · 8 August 2013, 21:02

Originally posted by BrilloPad View Post

Plan B - giving contracts a reference for time they were idle.

Probably counts as misrepresentation plus unless you are the plod or a judge, as you are not as worthy.

**curtis** · 9 August 2013, 08:27

If you can use your accountant would I be able to use my Umbrella company as a character reference? Any Umbrella that read this forum would you behappy to do this?

To be honest I see this whole process of wanting this as pointless. I don't announce to everyone I know when I'm out of work, most people have no idea that I am in-between contracts when I have been and if I did do something dodgy do you not think I would give someone who would lie and all for a contract which in no time at all will be over!

**TheFaQQer** · 9 August 2013, 08:36

Originally posted by curtis View Post

If you can use your accountant would I be able to use my Umbrella company as a character reference? Any Umbrella that read this forum would you behappy to do this?

If you work through an umbrella, then you have continuous employment.

**curtis** · 9 August 2013, 08:43

Your right but I can't see agents taking that as an answer when I say I was employed over the 3 months I was not in contract by my umbrella.

**CoolCat** · 9 August 2013, 10:19

Originally posted by TheFaQQer View Post

If you work through an umbrella, then you have continuous employment.

not if you decide to take 6 months off, they send you your P45 eventually. apparently HMRC have rules about not keeping someone on the payroll too long if they are not actively working or getting paid. biggest problem with that is your officially not working which could be a problem for allsorts of things such as car insurance (try telling your car insurance you are taking 6 months off and see what they do to your premiums...)

these background checks are nonsense, mix of agents fishing and nosy HR depts with little clue. I usually tell them that since I have security clearance there is little chance I have been doing anything untoward.

a few agencies now demand far too much info, capita for one, so i simply dont deal with them.

as for showing anyone my bank statements no way. far too many sensitive things on there, and potential for abuse.

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