Is it normal for a recruiter to request you provide them with a copy of your most recent W-2s as part of a "pre-hiring screening"?

Marguerite Nico

June 2,2022 at 2:03AM UTC

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Is it normal for a recruiter to request you provide them with a copy of your most recent W-2s as part of a "pre-hiring screening"? I was approached today by a recruiter who requires me to answer yes to 4 questions and send a copy of my W-2 to him. I have never heard of anyone requesting that information to verify employment. I'd cheerfully give them the phone number. If I have to send this to them, I'll redact everything on it but my name and city.

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Marguerite NicoJune 2,2022 at 2:04AM UTC
The questions are:
1
This not a 100% remote job. Its only initially remote and you must be onsite very soon.
2
After joining this project, you must maintain 100% attendance during your training period which will be from 6 to 8 weeks after joining and this training will be paid.
3
Salary will be $xxx/annum, but you will get paid $xx/hr as base salary (Bi-weekly) + $1/hr as Retention bonus which will be only paid either every Monthly or every Quarterly. In total you will get paid $xx/hr.
4
Shift schedule will be 7AM to 7PM - it’s 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week.
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJune 2,2022 at 3:51AM UTC
First of all, 7am to 7pm is 12 hours, not 8.
Second, I would never send my W2 to anyone. Not in these days of rampant identity theft and creepy stalkers. It's also illegal to ask how much someone is making in most (37) - but not all - states:
https://fairygodboss.com/career-topics/salary-history-ban
That link actually looks like it's a few years old - if your state isn't on it, run a google search, the laws may have changed.
I have heard of the 100% attendance during training before. Which should give you an indication of how inflexible a place it would be to work (another red flag for me).
I would be very cautious of this bonus comp - especially the way it's stated - it may be paid monthly or it may be paid quarterly, or it may not be paid at all. If they intended to pay it out, why not just make the hourly rate the hourly rate plus the potentially unpaid bonus? My guess is this place has incredibly high turnover.
Based on the compensation you mentioned, this sounds like some kind of a boiler room to me and I would run.
Vanda LeeJune 2,2022 at 7:42AM UTC
Scam!
AnonymousJune 2,2022 at 7:53AM UTC
I've worked with a few recruiters and they NEVER ask for a W-2. They will however indicate if the position is W-2, or 1099.
You could always respond and tell them flatly that you will not provide the W-2 under any circumstances and see how they respond. If they ghost you it was a scam, if they are legit they will move forward without it.
I would ask for clarification on the retention bonus: How will it be paid exactly, and will it be put in writing in the hiring contract?
The working hours are off and I would ask for clarification there too.
Katherine AmatoJune 2,2022 at 2:12AM UTC
I would never send a W-2 to a recruiter, and it's unprofessional for them to ask for one. In most states, it is against the law to ask a candidate what they are making in compensation since there are pay inequities. The legislation was brought about to encourage fair pay. Also, your w-2 has personal information on it, and there are so many scams out there I would not let it float around. I have not heard of an honest recruiting professional requesting a w-2. Red flag!
Andie ParkerJune 2,2022 at 3:27AM UTC
This sounds like a scam. Don’t send it
AnonymousJune 3,2022 at 3:58PM UTC
This is wildly inappropriate. Do not provide this information. If an employer wants to assess your financial background, they can run a credit report.
This sounds like an inept company or a scam.
AnonymousJune 4,2022 at 4:18PM UTC
No that is a red flag. Even with jobs that require a security clearance like working in intelligence and government they never never ever ask for your W2. Instead they have you fill out a financial disclosure that authorizes them to conduct that check along with the security form questionnaire which is a specific official standard govt form with a control #. Did you do some digging to find out more about the recruiter to see if the person is Legite. Is the person a sole proprietor or work for a large firm. Did you google the large firm to get their main number to confirm if that person is a real employee. If they are local did you drive by their office. Protect your identity at all costs