“In the spirit of reciprocal disclosure Im happy to provide you my recent payslip if you disclose to me in writing the anonymised current salaries of all employees in my proposed pay band. Deal?”
Oh the balls to go into a interview with a Uno reverse card in your pocket, this question comes up, throw it on the desk, and say reverse, show me yours
>tell em to jam it
Call them on it. "Why? Do you think I'm lying about it? If you don't think I'm worth it, then that's fine, but I'm not giving you confidential information."
or ask if they can make do with a reference letter instead (rather than be confrontational). What they want is to ascertain that you're not being "overpaid" by looking at a previous job's pay. Don't ever tell them your previous salary, or give evidence of it - you always make up a higher range for your own negotiating power.
I second this. It's worked for me on multiple occasions...
Potential employer: So how much are you getting paid?
Me: 128k (actually 108)
pe: sends letter of offer for 130k
Me: Secured pay raise of 22k
Over a period of 2 years I've worked up from 64k per year (working 14hr days) to 6 figures working 7 hour days.
Lying is in your best interests when talking money with employers.
I like to frame it as "My salary expectation for this role is <$x>".
"Oh what was your previous remuneration?" they may ask. To which I will say, "I am unfortunately not at liberty to say, however I can tell you my salary expectation for this role is <$x>".
It's irrelevant. The company has played their hand and it's a loser for OP. If you don't want to be confrontational then "No thanks" is the only answer required.
Problem is, if the op has stated what his existing salary is, they can hardly claim it's confidential.
They can try, but they look like the company has called the op's bluff, and if they back down, the company will assume he was lying...and either withdraw any employment offer at all, or lowball them.
Or they are happy to pay it or close enough to it but reckon you have over exaggerated what you are currently paid and don't think you are currently worth what they are asking.
Source, someone literally just tried to pull this with me. Recently hiring. Said he was paid mid 90Ks. I called bs. Didn't want to prove it. Had family work for the same company but different location who told me thier max top spend band which was low 80ks
May have just been that person as I've never had the need to ask for proof before.
> and don't think you are currently worth what they are asking
Then why does it matter what OP was paid previously? Just make an offer at the amount you believe OP is worth
Relevant discussion from 2 months ago - [https://www.reddit.com/r/AusFinance/comments/1aotmcz/potential\_employer\_requesting\_historical/](https://www.reddit.com/r/AusFinance/comments/1aotmcz/potential_employer_requesting_historical/)
My response back then:
"Let me be honest with you. If I felt my current employer was providing fair compensation for the capability I've developed and results I've achieved, then I would be less inclined to change. I am interested in working with your company because you have a reputation for nurturing and rewarding talent. My past underpayments aren't relevant to the forward value I will bring to your team. Or am I mistaken about how you work with your team?"
The other option to consider:
"I'm going to print all the payslips you asked for. Then I'm going to fold them in half. Then in half again. Then in half one final time. Then I'm going to soak them in extra virgin olive oil. And then I'm going to hand them to you, so you can shove them up your arse."
Or "That would be a breach of the Confidentiality clause in my employment contract, and I am not willing to do that even if I am going to leave my current employer. It just isn't ethical."
Redundant, yes, but it makes a nice juxtaposition between the past (payslips they want) and future (value I will bring).
Anyone applying the idea would need to make the words their own, and sound natural; but in a verbal negotiation it’s not always a bad thing to reinforce key points.
The first answer is just BS. It can also be interpreted as "my old employer (which knows my value and performance) doesn't think I'm worth what I'm asking you for, so I hope you're a sucker and willing to pay me more than they are"
They already think you're bullshitting your pay, meaning they don't believe you're worth what you're asking.
Just walk away, even if they do meet or match current they're never giving you a payrise after.
Simplest explanation is often best - they don't want to pay what you've asked for, think you're bullshitting what you're already on to push up what they have to pay you, they're looking to lowball you, or all the above. Unless you're desperate walk away, they've already shown their colours when it comes to pay.
Well, not really. If he is bullshitting then he should just pass on the job. If he isn't, then submit a redacted payslip that doesn't show everything, but enough for the employer to verify authenticity. Unfortunately it has become very common that candidates straight up lie about pretty much everything and I don't blame employers for trying to verify things.
Interesting counterpoint to this. I got asked this by a future employer when I was a bit younger and more naive. I provided a payslip, but photoshopped it to show a much inflated salary than I was on. They upped the offer and I still work there.
Looking back I wouldn’t have provided anything as others have had. But the forgery worked out well!
I'd be declining to offer that information due to the confidential nature of information contained within it.
Sounds like the kind of workplace you should avoid if you are not desperate for the job.
All this talk of confidentiality about information the OP has already provided.
You’re within your rights not to provide a payslip, they’re within their rights not to offer to pay you more.
Perhaps confirm that if you provide a payslip they will in fact match that?
You simply say that that information is confidential and you cannot share it. Stonewall it. That’s all there is to it. If they insist, just repeat yourself.
It is completely irrelevant and it’ll only be used against you and both parties know it.
If they won’t make you an offer without it (highly unlikely unless they are a small outfit that simply don’t “get it”), I would reconsider working there.
There's a clause in your current contract that says you cannot share confidential information.
They haven't provided you with anything yet, so why would you give them anything.
They sound like they can't afford your services.
Pay secrecy is unlawful - OP can share if they choose to, it’s their own personal confidential information, not their current employers confidential information.
Pay secrecy is unlawful for contracts made after 7-Dec-2022. OPs contract could have a pay secrecy clause in it.
It seemed like OP didn't want divulge his pay information and put his current job in jeopardy whilst still wanting to find out what the potential employer would pay. My suggestion was for him to lie and say his current contract does not allow this.
Had a friend who went through this.
Got promised a salary about 30% above his current. Went for an interview, discussed and was offered a salary 30% more than current.
Post interview asked for proof of current pay. Gave it.
Got offered the job, at a salary of less than 10% more than his current salary.
I figure they thought they had him hooked cause the dragged him so far through the process to an offer. He said no.
Do with that what you will. Not saying it's the same situation, but why would they possibly need your current pay unless they think you're lying about it? Even so, if they think you're worth what you're asking this would be immaterial except to lowball you
I’ve been asked this before. I said, look tbh if we’re going to work together it needs to start with a foundation of trust. I’m taking a leap of faith in considering this role at your company, I’ve got a secure role that pays a similar amount - if this is the tenor of the relationship then that’s not a great start, and it would make me second guess taking that leap of faith.
I was bluffing. It was about a 50% pay bump.
Are you potentially leaving a good employer who pays more than most in your industry? Don’t show them your pay slip. Especially if your current employer has been paying you a good wage and looking after you.
"Are you going to offer to pay me more per hour if I show you my payslip?"
And then in person I'd log in to my work intranet, open up a payslip, zoom in on the per hour rate and show them that.
"If you don't believe me now, I'm assuming you're not interested in proceeding further with this, that's fine."
If they say I need to give them a copy I'd say "No, I don't need to give you a copy of my pay slip. You said you wanted confirmation, you've seen it yourself. What would be the purpose of having this on file?"
And if they push, fine I'm not interested. If they don't cool let's move on.
But it's entirely up to you. I just don't care.
Its bullshit. Your negotiation with your employer is nobody else's business unless you've got someone negotiating on your behalf. Even then the information is only for your representative/negotiator.
It's simple: You're offering to work the prospective job at the remuneration you're asking for. If your prospective employer can't trust what you say, how are the they gonna even trust what you do when/if you've got the job? Sounds like you'd be stepping into a surveillance situation. Run.
Saw a corporate contract job via a recruiter on LinkedIn today asking for salary/ rate expectations and PROOF of current salary/rates.
I've been contracting for years and never been asked to prove my current rate.
This is totally none of their business and irrelevant to what I deliver and my senior experience.
That's why I always call and ask for a range first to know if my expectations are within the client's range. I also know the market rates for my role so don't want to lose potential earnings either.
I know some recruiters want this info so they can offer you less and make larger commissions on placing you if your rate is lower and the clients range is higher, then their commission is bigger.
Was a major red flag for me. So I'll apply via another recruiter offering the same opportunity without asking for proof of my current rate
Retired now. But I was an IT contractor all of my working life. I'd *never* discuss what other companies paid me. Only thing I was concerned about was whether *you* could afford me 'cos I ain't cheap.
I'd keep the secrets and confidence of any company I worked for.
I did start a role at obscene rates only to find that they wanted me to disclose the rate book of a rival firm. Started work at 9am. Walked out at 11.
I never did get those 2 hours pay...
I got asked at my current role for my previous payslip too. I was on 95k previously and applied a role advertised 110k I pushed it to 135k. I blamed inflation and mortgage. You have nothing to lose as long they’re not calling your bluff
I asked to see the books of a Real Estate company that wanted me to work for them at one time. They showed me.
I think if you put a figure out there you need to provide evidence or I’m not prepared to 100% believe you.
Personally I’m demanding a salary based on previous earnings I’d provide pay slips.
To echo others:
1. You are not required to prove your current salary.
2. Its likely against your current employment agreement to disclose this information to a 3rd party.
3. Its a massive red-flag that the new employer is asking for this.
4. The new jobs pay has almost nothing to do with your current pay. The pay is a reflection of the position/role/responsibilities and of course your skills/experience and ability to negotiate.
If you don't NEED the job, I would flip it around and ask them why YOU would want to pursue the opportunity with THEM given the above.
So many people telling you (incorrectly) to claim you can’t disclose due to confidentiality with your current employer - pay secrecy is unlawful in Australia and has been since last year. You’re free to share if you wish. You’ve already told them you’re earning more than what they’re offering so it’s not as though you can now claim to be worried about confidentiality. I think it’s fair they want you to back that claim up, just like you back up claims to education (via transcripts etc) or experience (via reference or a statement of service).
I’d be more worried about your current employer being upset about your secondary employment than the fact you’ve shared what income you’re on.
Don't do this. Who signs an NDA about pay? It just sounds like you're making things up
It's unnecessary to lie - payslips are confidential and you don't need to provide it.
I asked for 10k more than the offer, they asked for payslip and brief rationale. I provided both. Now I’m starting on 10k more than I was initially offered. Nobody cares about competitor salaries. They just want to know they can’t get you for cheaper.
Isn’t the whole point of job hopping that you earn more than what you currently earn?
I got a $35k pay bump and negotiated $10k above the initial offer but showing them my payslips wouldn’t have proved anything other than I was being underpaid.
I would call them out for that to be an unreasonable request and refuse to provide any payslips.
if you are asking for more money but still within reason and according to what the market is currently paying for the same role, then it's up to them to decide whether they agreed on that amount or not. End of the story.
Insist that this information is confidential and you are not prepared to breach your current agreement. If they are not happy with this answer, I'd rather give it a miss than work for such company. You haven't even started and there is already such a lack of trust.
If they have any doubts - they can make a bet and low ball you. And then see how you walk away.
Advise the prospective that your current remuneration is contractually confidential, but you'll have to drop off the car/travel allowance that you didn't mention to move to their position. If they call bullshit - remind them that they started it.
They don't want to pay you the rate you are asking for, if they did they wouldn't be going through this nonsense. They are trying to get you to negotiate against yourself, even if your current rate was let's say 10% lower than what you are asking for, so what? Do they think people go through the hassle and stress of switching jobs just to obtain the same amount of money as before.
If you really want the gig show them, otherwise simply tell them it's not relevant to the negotiation. No need to get into any NDA corporate espionage bullshit, if they are cheap and don't want to pay then showing them a piece of paper won't change anything.
Sorry, do you mean a second job as in another job to work during the hours that you're not working at your first job, or are you going for a new job so you can quit your old job? Not actually relevant to your question, just confusing.
I don't think they can ask and you don't need to provide a copy of your payslip.
Yeah they definitely don't need to see your payslip. They should be paying whatever award is for that particular job. Perhaps they want to know what hours you are working at the other job so they would know when they can roster you on, but that would not be on a payslip unless it includes your full timesheet. Pretty weird anyway.
ETA: Sorry I just reread your post and yeah they are asking for proof of your current pay rate at a different job. Your other pay rate should have no bearing on their offer to you. I'd be inclined to look elsewhere.
Send it with TFN redacted, and edit the details to make your pay higher than it actually was. Remember to change the maths on all the tax and everything. They want to know what to pay you. You have the opportunity to stiff them out of a higher rate.
If you really don't want to show them, just tell them it is a breach of company policy to disclose salary. If you think there is a benefit to showing them, probably that might be the best idea as it allows you to negotiate a higher salary. But in any event check that what you are doing is within policy.
You could meet them half way and show them a payslip with the employers name and Abn blacked out. But I also find it weird they would be asking for this
Just say you signed an NDA and cannot disclose your remuneration at your existing place, and that they would not like it either if you did the same to them.
When an employer doesn’t trust what you’re saying and hesitates to offer fair compensation, it’s a major red flag. It suggests they may never fully believe in you, which isn’t a good sign for the future. If they’re not willing to value your worth now, it’s unlikely to change later. Maybe it’s time to reconsider this opportunity and look for a better fit elsewhere.
Don't do it.
Your worth to an employer should not be based on your current pay, but your skills, qualifications, experience, and motivation.
The kind of employer that does this will never give a pay increase, and will never see you as more than a number.
You already told them your rate.
Can’t try to claim confidentiality now. Ignore everyone suggesting you do that. It would make you look like you a) lied about your current rate or b) broke the confidentiality clause in your current contract by mentioning it in the first place. Both of those are bad looks.
On the bright side, they aren’t “gathering intelligence”. Person hiring you is just checking if you’re a liar. Which is a fair move. No one wants an employee who will get easily trapped in lies. Like even if it’s an industry where lying is the norm you’d want the employee who doesn’t get caught lying (e.g., people in this thread who used photoshop) or can charm when caught.
They probably also need evidence to get a higher level manager to approve a higher offer. They may not be able to match it. But they need the payslip to try, or the big boss will just say “nah, they’re lying”.
You weren’t lying. So just show the payslip.
Ask them to provide the payslips of all your potential future colleagues so you can be sure they are paying you fairly?
Use their response as your own reason for not providing.
I’ve straight up said “I don’t think it’s relevant, what’s relevant is assessing me as an applicant and what I can offer, and how you view it sits in your scale”.
Another good one is stating you signed an NDA.
Would he get 20-40k payrises moving employees by showing your old payslip. The answer is emphatically no.
Is your current job actually paying more per hour than they are offering, or did you inflate your current hourly rate as a negotiating tactic?
Either way, the response is the same. Tell them that you don't want to work for a company that doesn't trust it's employees, especially if it pays less.
One scenario that isn't going to happen is that they see your current rate and decide to offer you a rate substantially above that.
There is nothing to be gained from showing them your current rate. They will offer you something around your current rate.
In that case, it doesn't make sense to switch jobs, particularly since it appears they are penny-pinching, which indicates a company with a bad culture or isn't doing too well.
LibreOffice Draw will allow you to edit pdf’s (open source software)
Edit out the figure to whatever you said or even 10-20k higher and submit that
Make sure to not be a rookie and figure out how much the tax should be increased and super for that new figure you put in
As a bargaining tactic, you can withhold the payslips.
Request that they put a salary/wage offer to you in writing. In return, and assuming you are content with the $ offer, you will show them the payslips.
If they resist or the offer is below your expectations, you can walk away :)
I think the damage was done when you claimed to be paid more than you were.
Sure, you could refuse to provide the further information as requested, but *already having stated a number* you can hardly now say it's confidential.
They figured you were bullshitting and called you on it. Even if you got the job, they are going to figure you are a liar.
The time to have claimed confidentiality was when you originally gave the number for your existing pay.
Your best alternative would have been to claim confidentiality and say you were looking at $x because that would be enough of a margin to make a jump worthwhile. However, you are past that point. You bluffed, they called it, you're stuffed.
I've been asked this before. I told them it's confidential information.
Uno reverse “you all show me yours, I’ll show you mine”
“In the spirit of reciprocal disclosure Im happy to provide you my recent payslip if you disclose to me in writing the anonymised current salaries of all employees in my proposed pay band. Deal?”
Oh the balls to go into a interview with a Uno reverse card in your pocket, this question comes up, throw it on the desk, and say reverse, show me yours
“Draw 4… extra thousand, this salary offer is a bit low”
Did you get the job?
This is the right answer, and probably in your contract. Why give them something they can use against you?
Red Flags 🚩, tell em to jam it. They obviously can’t afford you and will no doubt make you work twice as hard.
>tell em to jam it Call them on it. "Why? Do you think I'm lying about it? If you don't think I'm worth it, then that's fine, but I'm not giving you confidential information."
or ask if they can make do with a reference letter instead (rather than be confrontational). What they want is to ascertain that you're not being "overpaid" by looking at a previous job's pay. Don't ever tell them your previous salary, or give evidence of it - you always make up a higher range for your own negotiating power.
I second this. It's worked for me on multiple occasions... Potential employer: So how much are you getting paid? Me: 128k (actually 108) pe: sends letter of offer for 130k Me: Secured pay raise of 22k Over a period of 2 years I've worked up from 64k per year (working 14hr days) to 6 figures working 7 hour days. Lying is in your best interests when talking money with employers.
> Lying and if you don't want to lie, you can always say 'my current rate is 128k', which isn't a lie, since your rate is whatever you say it is.
I like to frame it as "My salary expectation for this role is <$x>". "Oh what was your previous remuneration?" they may ask. To which I will say, "I am unfortunately not at liberty to say, however I can tell you my salary expectation for this role is <$x>".
Good point. I don't like lying if I don't have to.
It's irrelevant. The company has played their hand and it's a loser for OP. If you don't want to be confrontational then "No thanks" is the only answer required.
How is it confidential information if you tell them what it is but don't want to provide the paper?
Problem is, if the op has stated what his existing salary is, they can hardly claim it's confidential. They can try, but they look like the company has called the op's bluff, and if they back down, the company will assume he was lying...and either withdraw any employment offer at all, or lowball them.
Yep for sure. If they are not prepared to pay you a fair wage now forget about decent pay rises in the future.
Even better reason for some photoshopping
Exactly. It's not like they can call your ex employer and ask for your payroll details to confirm.
Correct answer. Their request is highly unprofessional.
Or they are happy to pay it or close enough to it but reckon you have over exaggerated what you are currently paid and don't think you are currently worth what they are asking. Source, someone literally just tried to pull this with me. Recently hiring. Said he was paid mid 90Ks. I called bs. Didn't want to prove it. Had family work for the same company but different location who told me thier max top spend band which was low 80ks May have just been that person as I've never had the need to ask for proof before.
> and don't think you are currently worth what they are asking Then why does it matter what OP was paid previously? Just make an offer at the amount you believe OP is worth
Relevant discussion from 2 months ago - [https://www.reddit.com/r/AusFinance/comments/1aotmcz/potential\_employer\_requesting\_historical/](https://www.reddit.com/r/AusFinance/comments/1aotmcz/potential_employer_requesting_historical/) My response back then: "Let me be honest with you. If I felt my current employer was providing fair compensation for the capability I've developed and results I've achieved, then I would be less inclined to change. I am interested in working with your company because you have a reputation for nurturing and rewarding talent. My past underpayments aren't relevant to the forward value I will bring to your team. Or am I mistaken about how you work with your team?" The other option to consider: "I'm going to print all the payslips you asked for. Then I'm going to fold them in half. Then in half again. Then in half one final time. Then I'm going to soak them in extra virgin olive oil. And then I'm going to hand them to you, so you can shove them up your arse."
I paid $22 for 750ml of olive oil the other day. I think not.
But did you get the job?
HAHAHA love it.
Fuuck I love reddit
No, but I personally enjoyed the shoving bit.
Man how many people were you interviewing?
You know it’s worth it though, imagine your life without it, be the olive, be the oil. Proudly brought to you by big oil
I’m sure that was about $10 not too long ago ?
Just gotta raw dog it in this economy.
Second option is the correct choice.
watch out for paper cuts
that's what the oil is for
In that case better don't soak em in oil and tell em to shove it (but they could always unfold and see your salary then) - catch 22
Or "That would be a breach of the Confidentiality clause in my employment contract, and I am not willing to do that even if I am going to leave my current employer. It just isn't ethical."
I’m saving this comment
Save money on the olive oil and paper mache them into a dildo instead
Olive Oil? In *this* economy?
Forward value?
When you hire me, the value I bring is in the future. You're not buying me to own my past, you're buying me for forward value.
I just meant it's redundant. "Will bring" already refers to the future.
Redundant, yes, but it makes a nice juxtaposition between the past (payslips they want) and future (value I will bring). Anyone applying the idea would need to make the words their own, and sound natural; but in a verbal negotiation it’s not always a bad thing to reinforce key points.
The first answer is just BS. It can also be interpreted as "my old employer (which knows my value and performance) doesn't think I'm worth what I'm asking you for, so I hope you're a sucker and willing to pay me more than they are"
They already think you're bullshitting your pay, meaning they don't believe you're worth what you're asking. Just walk away, even if they do meet or match current they're never giving you a payrise after.
Chaotic good: Photoshop a payslip
Exactly what I was thinking.
This is what I’ve done before. Recommend.
How’d it go.
Someone at my job did this, then the potential employer called HR to confirm and they got fired that day. Don’t recommend
technically fraud but I love it and have done this previously
[удалено]
Yea this is all I would do. “Unfortunately I’m not able to provide that”. And that’s all that needs to be said.
Simplest explanation is often best - they don't want to pay what you've asked for, think you're bullshitting what you're already on to push up what they have to pay you, they're looking to lowball you, or all the above. Unless you're desperate walk away, they've already shown their colours when it comes to pay.
Maybe OP is bullshitting? Wouldn't be the first time I've seen it
Whether OP is bullshitting or not is irrelevant.
Well, not really. If he is bullshitting then he should just pass on the job. If he isn't, then submit a redacted payslip that doesn't show everything, but enough for the employer to verify authenticity. Unfortunately it has become very common that candidates straight up lie about pretty much everything and I don't blame employers for trying to verify things.
Ask them for payslips for employees currently doing similar roles at the company.
Interesting counterpoint to this. I got asked this by a future employer when I was a bit younger and more naive. I provided a payslip, but photoshopped it to show a much inflated salary than I was on. They upped the offer and I still work there. Looking back I wouldn’t have provided anything as others have had. But the forgery worked out well!
This is completely unrelated totally not applicable but I am a Photoshop artist and am great at editing documents.... Wink.. wink.
I'd be declining to offer that information due to the confidential nature of information contained within it. Sounds like the kind of workplace you should avoid if you are not desperate for the job.
As a HR Manager, this isn't legal.
Lol at you with your real world advice. Thought you were just here for the memes! Lol
All this talk of confidentiality about information the OP has already provided. You’re within your rights not to provide a payslip, they’re within their rights not to offer to pay you more. Perhaps confirm that if you provide a payslip they will in fact match that?
Id move on instantly, doesnt sound like somewhere you want to work
You simply say that that information is confidential and you cannot share it. Stonewall it. That’s all there is to it. If they insist, just repeat yourself. It is completely irrelevant and it’ll only be used against you and both parties know it. If they won’t make you an offer without it (highly unlikely unless they are a small outfit that simply don’t “get it”), I would reconsider working there.
There's a clause in your current contract that says you cannot share confidential information. They haven't provided you with anything yet, so why would you give them anything. They sound like they can't afford your services.
Pay secrecy is unlawful - OP can share if they choose to, it’s their own personal confidential information, not their current employers confidential information.
Pay secrecy is unlawful for contracts made after 7-Dec-2022. OPs contract could have a pay secrecy clause in it. It seemed like OP didn't want divulge his pay information and put his current job in jeopardy whilst still wanting to find out what the potential employer would pay. My suggestion was for him to lie and say his current contract does not allow this.
Send them a photo copy of your arsehole.
That's an immediate sign not to work for them.
Had a friend who went through this. Got promised a salary about 30% above his current. Went for an interview, discussed and was offered a salary 30% more than current. Post interview asked for proof of current pay. Gave it. Got offered the job, at a salary of less than 10% more than his current salary. I figure they thought they had him hooked cause the dragged him so far through the process to an offer. He said no. Do with that what you will. Not saying it's the same situation, but why would they possibly need your current pay unless they think you're lying about it? Even so, if they think you're worth what you're asking this would be immaterial except to lowball you
I’ve been asked this before. I said, look tbh if we’re going to work together it needs to start with a foundation of trust. I’m taking a leap of faith in considering this role at your company, I’ve got a secure role that pays a similar amount - if this is the tenor of the relationship then that’s not a great start, and it would make me second guess taking that leap of faith. I was bluffing. It was about a 50% pay bump.
Tell them you’re not prepared to breach confidentiality with your employer.
Wouldn’t be a breach, your employer can’t require you to keep your pay a secret.
Are you potentially leaving a good employer who pays more than most in your industry? Don’t show them your pay slip. Especially if your current employer has been paying you a good wage and looking after you.
I wouldn’t be leaving I would be picking up more work on the side.
That’s even more reason to decline
"Are you going to offer to pay me more per hour if I show you my payslip?" And then in person I'd log in to my work intranet, open up a payslip, zoom in on the per hour rate and show them that. "If you don't believe me now, I'm assuming you're not interested in proceeding further with this, that's fine." If they say I need to give them a copy I'd say "No, I don't need to give you a copy of my pay slip. You said you wanted confirmation, you've seen it yourself. What would be the purpose of having this on file?" And if they push, fine I'm not interested. If they don't cool let's move on. But it's entirely up to you. I just don't care.
Its bullshit. Your negotiation with your employer is nobody else's business unless you've got someone negotiating on your behalf. Even then the information is only for your representative/negotiator. It's simple: You're offering to work the prospective job at the remuneration you're asking for. If your prospective employer can't trust what you say, how are the they gonna even trust what you do when/if you've got the job? Sounds like you'd be stepping into a surveillance situation. Run.
Saw a corporate contract job via a recruiter on LinkedIn today asking for salary/ rate expectations and PROOF of current salary/rates. I've been contracting for years and never been asked to prove my current rate. This is totally none of their business and irrelevant to what I deliver and my senior experience. That's why I always call and ask for a range first to know if my expectations are within the client's range. I also know the market rates for my role so don't want to lose potential earnings either. I know some recruiters want this info so they can offer you less and make larger commissions on placing you if your rate is lower and the clients range is higher, then their commission is bigger. Was a major red flag for me. So I'll apply via another recruiter offering the same opportunity without asking for proof of my current rate
Retired now. But I was an IT contractor all of my working life. I'd *never* discuss what other companies paid me. Only thing I was concerned about was whether *you* could afford me 'cos I ain't cheap. I'd keep the secrets and confidence of any company I worked for. I did start a role at obscene rates only to find that they wanted me to disclose the rate book of a rival firm. Started work at 9am. Walked out at 11. I never did get those 2 hours pay...
Yeah good advice. Never been asked this though, must be a new thing.
I got asked at my current role for my previous payslip too. I was on 95k previously and applied a role advertised 110k I pushed it to 135k. I blamed inflation and mortgage. You have nothing to lose as long they’re not calling your bluff
I asked to see the books of a Real Estate company that wanted me to work for them at one time. They showed me. I think if you put a figure out there you need to provide evidence or I’m not prepared to 100% believe you. Personally I’m demanding a salary based on previous earnings I’d provide pay slips.
Asking for payslips is not standard practice. Don't normalise it.
To echo others: 1. You are not required to prove your current salary. 2. Its likely against your current employment agreement to disclose this information to a 3rd party. 3. Its a massive red-flag that the new employer is asking for this. 4. The new jobs pay has almost nothing to do with your current pay. The pay is a reflection of the position/role/responsibilities and of course your skills/experience and ability to negotiate. If you don't NEED the job, I would flip it around and ask them why YOU would want to pursue the opportunity with THEM given the above.
So many people telling you (incorrectly) to claim you can’t disclose due to confidentiality with your current employer - pay secrecy is unlawful in Australia and has been since last year. You’re free to share if you wish. You’ve already told them you’re earning more than what they’re offering so it’s not as though you can now claim to be worried about confidentiality. I think it’s fair they want you to back that claim up, just like you back up claims to education (via transcripts etc) or experience (via reference or a statement of service). I’d be more worried about your current employer being upset about your secondary employment than the fact you’ve shared what income you’re on.
My current employer won’t mind they are both casual jobs. I appreciate your input!
Just apologise and say you can't, you signed an NDA and this breaches that agreement.
Don't do this. Who signs an NDA about pay? It just sounds like you're making things up It's unnecessary to lie - payslips are confidential and you don't need to provide it.
Payslips are confidential anyway no need to lie about an NDA
I asked for 10k more than the offer, they asked for payslip and brief rationale. I provided both. Now I’m starting on 10k more than I was initially offered. Nobody cares about competitor salaries. They just want to know they can’t get you for cheaper.
Isn’t the whole point of job hopping that you earn more than what you currently earn? I got a $35k pay bump and negotiated $10k above the initial offer but showing them my payslips wouldn’t have proved anything other than I was being underpaid.
I would call them out for that to be an unreasonable request and refuse to provide any payslips. if you are asking for more money but still within reason and according to what the market is currently paying for the same role, then it's up to them to decide whether they agreed on that amount or not. End of the story.
Insist that this information is confidential and you are not prepared to breach your current agreement. If they are not happy with this answer, I'd rather give it a miss than work for such company. You haven't even started and there is already such a lack of trust. If they have any doubts - they can make a bet and low ball you. And then see how you walk away.
Photoshop the numbers 👀 But very red flag behaviour!
Advise the prospective that your current remuneration is contractually confidential, but you'll have to drop off the car/travel allowance that you didn't mention to move to their position. If they call bullshit - remind them that they started it.
Yep, that’s a no from me…
I would provide the payslip and then decline if they actually offer. I’ve never had anyone ask for a payslip except the bank.
Would be giving me red flags about the company if they are basically telling you they don’t trust you before they’ve even hired you.
Even entertaining the idea of this is hilarious. Tell them to sod off
They don't want to pay you the rate you are asking for, if they did they wouldn't be going through this nonsense. They are trying to get you to negotiate against yourself, even if your current rate was let's say 10% lower than what you are asking for, so what? Do they think people go through the hassle and stress of switching jobs just to obtain the same amount of money as before. If you really want the gig show them, otherwise simply tell them it's not relevant to the negotiation. No need to get into any NDA corporate espionage bullshit, if they are cheap and don't want to pay then showing them a piece of paper won't change anything.
Genuine question, say if you decided to reveal your current salary, can the prospective employer verify that with your current employer / HR?
I’m curious to know that too. I wonder if my information will end up back with my current employer.
Say it goes against your current employers policy to disclose wages
Sorry, do you mean a second job as in another job to work during the hours that you're not working at your first job, or are you going for a new job so you can quit your old job? Not actually relevant to your question, just confusing. I don't think they can ask and you don't need to provide a copy of your payslip.
It is another casual job to pick up more hours.
Yeah they definitely don't need to see your payslip. They should be paying whatever award is for that particular job. Perhaps they want to know what hours you are working at the other job so they would know when they can roster you on, but that would not be on a payslip unless it includes your full timesheet. Pretty weird anyway. ETA: Sorry I just reread your post and yeah they are asking for proof of your current pay rate at a different job. Your other pay rate should have no bearing on their offer to you. I'd be inclined to look elsewhere.
“My NDA prohibits me from sharing salary information with potentially competing companies.”
Send it with TFN redacted, and edit the details to make your pay higher than it actually was. Remember to change the maths on all the tax and everything. They want to know what to pay you. You have the opportunity to stiff them out of a higher rate.
If you really don't want to show them, just tell them it is a breach of company policy to disclose salary. If you think there is a benefit to showing them, probably that might be the best idea as it allows you to negotiate a higher salary. But in any event check that what you are doing is within policy.
No. Just no.
Photoshop a zero in.
You could meet them half way and show them a payslip with the employers name and Abn blacked out. But I also find it weird they would be asking for this
My employment clause says I can't talk about this. The new employer is testing your trustworthiness
Absolute red flag, run for the hills
Signed an NDA
Just say you signed an NDA and cannot disclose your remuneration at your existing place, and that they would not like it either if you did the same to them.
I already told them over the phone the rate I was on.
When an employer doesn’t trust what you’re saying and hesitates to offer fair compensation, it’s a major red flag. It suggests they may never fully believe in you, which isn’t a good sign for the future. If they’re not willing to value your worth now, it’s unlikely to change later. Maybe it’s time to reconsider this opportunity and look for a better fit elsewhere.
Don't do it. Your worth to an employer should not be based on your current pay, but your skills, qualifications, experience, and motivation. The kind of employer that does this will never give a pay increase, and will never see you as more than a number.
I’ve been asked this twice and provided it… it wasn’t an option not to
Provide the payslips as requested, after you have edited them to reflect your desired rate
I don’t need to edit them, I am being paid the desired rate.
Ah pardon me, misread
I don’t like this because they’ve effectively called you a liar by asking for proof of your salary. It’s a bad vibe.
Photoshop add 20%
Asking this is sleazy and invasive to your privacy and honestly smell like they are calling you out as a potential liar. Hard pass for me
You already told them your rate. Can’t try to claim confidentiality now. Ignore everyone suggesting you do that. It would make you look like you a) lied about your current rate or b) broke the confidentiality clause in your current contract by mentioning it in the first place. Both of those are bad looks. On the bright side, they aren’t “gathering intelligence”. Person hiring you is just checking if you’re a liar. Which is a fair move. No one wants an employee who will get easily trapped in lies. Like even if it’s an industry where lying is the norm you’d want the employee who doesn’t get caught lying (e.g., people in this thread who used photoshop) or can charm when caught. They probably also need evidence to get a higher level manager to approve a higher offer. They may not be able to match it. But they need the payslip to try, or the big boss will just say “nah, they’re lying”. You weren’t lying. So just show the payslip.
Just say you signed an NDA
Ask them to provide the payslips of all your potential future colleagues so you can be sure they are paying you fairly? Use their response as your own reason for not providing.
Don't do it. They either want you or they don't. It's a big red flag to me.
I’ve straight up said “I don’t think it’s relevant, what’s relevant is assessing me as an applicant and what I can offer, and how you view it sits in your scale”. Another good one is stating you signed an NDA. Would he get 20-40k payrises moving employees by showing your old payslip. The answer is emphatically no.
Is your current job actually paying more per hour than they are offering, or did you inflate your current hourly rate as a negotiating tactic? Either way, the response is the same. Tell them that you don't want to work for a company that doesn't trust it's employees, especially if it pays less.
Yes I am being paid the rate I quoted.
One scenario that isn't going to happen is that they see your current rate and decide to offer you a rate substantially above that. There is nothing to be gained from showing them your current rate. They will offer you something around your current rate. In that case, it doesn't make sense to switch jobs, particularly since it appears they are penny-pinching, which indicates a company with a bad culture or isn't doing too well.
That's a big fat no
This is mental behaviour and I agree with other comments- seems like terrible employer.
Do not do this! Insane!
They're using this as justification for lowballing you. I always refuse. I have actually walked away from a job because of this once.
Redact all the monetary values. That way you can show proof of work and hours etc but not give them any bargaining power for the position.
Edit the PDF and make it look like you earn 600k per annum. Tell them you are willing to negotiate.
I like this suggestion.
Say you signed a non-disclosure with your current employer.
LibreOffice Draw will allow you to edit pdf’s (open source software) Edit out the figure to whatever you said or even 10-20k higher and submit that Make sure to not be a rookie and figure out how much the tax should be increased and super for that new figure you put in
Consider that this may not be a real job and they are just trying to commit identity fraud against you.
"That would violate an NDA I signed. I'm sure you would want me to behave ethically."
As a bargaining tactic, you can withhold the payslips. Request that they put a salary/wage offer to you in writing. In return, and assuming you are content with the $ offer, you will show them the payslips. If they resist or the offer is below your expectations, you can walk away :)
Remove all the confidential information then post it what’s the big deal?
Lies always come out when the bluff is called
How do you mean? I can provide the pay slip. I just want to make sure I am not going to harm anything with my current job.
I think the damage was done when you claimed to be paid more than you were. Sure, you could refuse to provide the further information as requested, but *already having stated a number* you can hardly now say it's confidential. They figured you were bullshitting and called you on it. Even if you got the job, they are going to figure you are a liar. The time to have claimed confidentiality was when you originally gave the number for your existing pay. Your best alternative would have been to claim confidentiality and say you were looking at $x because that would be enough of a margin to make a jump worthwhile. However, you are past that point. You bluffed, they called it, you're stuffed.
Wow man chill, I never lied. I can absolutely provide pay slip with proof. I was only asking if it would possibly cause trouble for me if I did.