Proof of Salary

17 Comments

1. BarbaraSeptember 15,2024 at 12:21PM UTC

   I don't think that asking for proof of income is legal! Years ago, I worked just a little old temp job where the agency asked for proof of my prior positions pay rate! Never had this happen before on a permanent job so why was it needed for this temp assignment? I gave them a copy if my w2 (as suggested) . Fast forward a few years and I received a class action lawsuit notice against this agency for this exact issue!

2. AnonymousSeptember 15,2024 at 1:56PM UTC

   Be careful of the recruiter's motives. She is getting paid commission on the base salary, not the bonus. I suspect the recruiter is pushing for a higher base pay to pad the commission. Your question about the KPIs is on point, as they may be easily reachable, and the company is trying to reduce the hiring commission to the recruiter. This may be more of a conflict between the company and the recruiter and not an issue between you and the company. If this doesn't come through, I would drop this 3rd party recruiter and either find another one or do the search yourself.

   What you are worth on the open market is the only thing that matters. Proof of income is irrelevant to any new position you are applying to. This is especially true if you are applying for something considered a promotion in your current company or if you recently upgraded your education/credentials. What you are currently paid is no indicator of your value on the open market, primarily if you have worked at a company for several years.

3. AnonymousSeptember 15,2024 at 4:59PM UTC

   I’d stay where you are and seek another opportunity, not the one you’re interviewing. The answer is no, you will not provide proof of income. I recruited IT professionals for years. Never once did I ask to see their income. What do you seek? What does the job offer? If not doable move on. Good luck!

4. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistSeptember 16,2024 at 12:52AM UTC

   Are you in the US? Depending on what state you're in, asking for proof of income - as well as just asking what you're currently making - can be illegal.

   I would absolutely make sure that you are clear on the KPSs - especially since it would be such a large part of your compensation.

   I would also ask what the track record for paying out bonuses is. It's all well and good to say you offer bonuses - it's quite another thing altogether to actually pay out those bonuses.

   What have your conversations around compensation been up to this point?

   Even with the bonus, a 20% pay cut is not insignificant. Have you calculated how many years it will take you just to get back to your current base?

5. AnonymousSeptember 16,2024 at 3:41PM UTC

   Do not share any evidence as this seems quite like they are attempting to scam you. If they don't make an offer within your needs just say no.

6. AnonymousSeptember 17,2024 at 1:37PM UTC

   Someone reached out to someone in the company about salary for the Director position you are in? That does not seem ethical. In my state companies need to post a salary range on positions on LI.

7. John HerndonSeptember 17,2024 at 1:59PM UTC

   Yes. Don’t work for a Chinese company, this first insight into how they value you should be all the proof you need. This will be their approach with you now and in the future.

8. AnonymousSeptember 17,2024 at 2:28PM UTC

   Think about this long and hard , if they are already low balling with with what is probably fake info imagine what your work life will be like , you will never reach those kba’s , I would look elsewhere

9. Mo Faul, Founder, CEO, Exec CoachSeptember 19,2024 at 12:27PM UTC

   You are on the right track. Salary disclosure is illegal in many cities and states and has shown to dampen salaries, findings are that men overstate and women are more accurate - leading to dampened increases!! Of course you would ask for KPIs and want to understand what success looks like in their org! Stand by for a culture you may not agree with!! Heads up!

10. Celena BartonSeptember 19,2024 at 12:29PM UTC

    This isn’t right. I’d avoid.

11. AnonymousSeptember 19,2024 at 12:47PM UTC

    Move on. If they are going to do this to you now, imagine how they will treat you once you are locked in.

12. KittySeptember 19,2024 at 2:34PM UTC

    I would walk away as it sounds like reg flags. The right position will come up for you.

13. AnonymousSeptember 19,2024 at 2:35PM UTC

    Turn it on her and ask what does it matter what your existing position pays? Ask her what is the role paying & that you are open to negotiate as you consider all aspects of the offer - what u get yo do, what u get to learn, travel, benefits, bonuses etc. do not give them your salary

14. AnonymousSeptember 19,2024 at 3:09PM UTC

    international companies should follow the same regulations as U.S. domestic companies. You always want to examine in person how that company looks like, how the people you will work with look like before apply, culture fit is important.

    No, that hr recruiting is not professional and ethics, it doesn’t want give you a payscale to match local pays, it obviously doesn’t want to pay what you deserved to be paid.

    pay, benefits, and hiring should be clearly state on paper contract in writing to protect you and their business before revenue generation starts.

    Other people comment here is correct, Chinese company is lack of ethics in international presence because their undertable kickbacks, dishonesty, undermining candidates.

    Say NO and move on from shame jobs. The companies I will never apply is having financial fraud

    which conceal transactions in fake nonprofit, education, charity, you don’t want to be there.

15. Pea WriteSeptember 19,2024 at 4:13PM UTC

    Leave them alone. I’m so tired of these foreign companies lowballing Americans. It’s also really bad dealing with Indian companies. They do the exact same thing. Also, I wish these American businesses wouldn’t do business with 3rd world nations. Plus, I think these recruiters are just trying to make more money off of people.

16. AnonymousSeptember 19,2024 at 7:01PM UTC

    I agree with everyone who is urging OP to walk away due to the red flags. While it's not clear to me whether the third party recruiter is based in China or the US, it seems accurate to conclude that you're dealing with someone who isn't very well versed in legal/ethical recruiting practices in the US.

    Asking a candidate to provide a lot of information about their current employer's practices is a tactic used by Chinese companies, especially if they're looking to try to copy or emulate this company. I've personally been contacted by Chinese companies on LinkedIn over the years and it's clear they are just after whatever information they can get about how certain companies operate - the organizational structure, business metrics, you name it, they'll see if you will tell them.

    You are right to feel uncomfortable. The person who said "what you are currently paid is no indicator of your value on the open market" is correct. For the recruiter to say that they know people in your company who can provide information on how you are paid feels like an implied threat. If you haven't done so already, I'd recommend a brief professional email (please do not call or text - send an email so it's clearly documented) telling the recruiter after some consideration you're going to focus on positioning yourself for a director promotion in your current role and you are formally withdrawing from consideration from their company.

17. AnonymousSeptember 23,2024 at 10:35AM UTC

    Parent company in China?

    I wouldn't even consider it and hard "NO" to proof of income!