HR Help.

Anonymous

September 21,2021 at 4:28PM UTC

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HR Help. As part of prehire, the company wants five years of W2s and two recent pay stubs.

I really need a job but wondering what am I getting in to!!!

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S.September 21,2021 at 4:40PM UTC
What, is this the fed govt? That's crazy. No, I would not comply. I don't know if laws have changed recently, but they do not need to ask for this very private information. If they would like proof that you worked, they should call your references. I've never heard of this happening to anyone ever, and being seasoned in operations mgmt, I've worked closely with many HR departments. I would contact and consult with an employment attorney in your state.
Barb HansenSeptember 21,2021 at 4:47PM UTC
I would never send a W2 or previous pay stubs to any potential employer. There is absolutely no reason for them to need that information.
If you really need the job and you don't want to shut down the process, I would ask them why they need that information (although there is no reason that they need it), but you could try to keep the conversation moving forward.
I'm guessing that any legitimate employer wouldn't ask for this stuff so there might not be any real job for you to get anyway
AnonymousSeptember 21,2021 at 5:13PM UTC
I had to provide 7 years worth of W2s because the background check company that NY current company uses was having issues hearing back from employers to verify dates of employment. I was told to redact all financial information. They just want to verify that I worked for who I said I worked for during years I said I worked. The W2s satisfied this verification quickly and easily. My company wanted to make me an offer asap. My company is a global billion dollar company.
AnonymousSeptember 21,2021 at 6:53PM UTC
I thought this was a crazy ask when I was hired for a corporate job (well, the background check company asked on behalf the employer)! They said the W2s were necessary since my previous employers didn't contact them back to verify my previous employment. Luckily, I keep good records of info but I also didn't feel all that well putting my info out there. The only other option the background company gave me was to contact the IRS and ask for a transcript? Apparently, these are free to request but you'll be asked a series of questions about the course of your life to verify your identify (i.e. all the address you lived, picking out what employer info looks correct, etc.). If you can't recall all this information, it can easily slip you up and make it difficult to get the info because the IRS may suspect fraud identify. It was just a lot! Oy.
Desiree GoldeySeptember 21,2021 at 9:59PM UTC
That sounds insane! I would never give that personal information to an employer.
Jackie GhedineSeptember 22,2021 at 10:52AM UTC
What? Where are you located? There are 21 states that have banned salary history from the job application process because the practice perpetuates the wage gap.
Needing a job is one thing, getting the right job is another. This may be a red flag.