enquiry

pauliny2001 · PayPerShop Newbie Joined: 23 Jun 2007 Posts: 3

I am considering employing a new staff member, and I intend checking up on all possible history he might have because of the nature of my business.

Is it possible that I can use his NI number to trace the number of hours he had worked in previous employements?

Ian Congreave

Welcome to the PayPerShop forum and thank you for posting your question.

I�m afraid the answer is no. HMRC maintain an employment record for each NI number as part of the person�s contribution record, but that is only available to the person and only contains earnings and NI contributions details.

Maybe other visitors to the forum will have some suggestions. But, why do you need to know how many hours were worked? Presumably you can check from the employment history provided by employees whether they are correct or not by contacting those employers for references - but why are their hours important?
_________________
Ian Congreave, PayPerShop owner

PayPerShop provides a free weekly UK payroll news service - http://www.paypershop.com/latestnews.html

pauliny2001 · PayPerShop Newbie Joined: 23 Jun 2007 Posts: 3

I try to check up on potential employee's honesty by cross checking on those minute details. If you lie concerning previous hours worked and salary paid, I'm not sure you won't lie about other issues. With the fraud being perpetrated all over, I want to be sure I am employing the right person. And not many referees are willing to go through the stress of going the whole way in order to give reference for their ex-staff. Hope you understand.

Ian Whyteside

As someone who has recruited many employees over the years I would endorse Ian's comments on this matter, however there are other ways of establishing the truth or otherwise of a persons claims.

Firstly the claims of professional memberships and exam successes can be validated with the original awarding body and professional organisation and this is very important, remember the NHS cases of supposed consultants who had in fact bought their certificates rather than actually studied and sat the examinations. Establishing this also establishes their honesty.

We all know that previous employer references are about as useful as a chocolate teapot, however most employers will answer factual questions because they are on safe ground. Ask things like when they started, when they finished, what was their final post, how many days of absence in the last 12 months, that sort of thing. It is only when you ask them to speculate on the persons suitability for your employment that you dont get answers so stick to facts. Again it establishes honesty.

Finally set them tests on the subjects you want them to be working on and see if they can deliver as well as talk about it. to me that is the only way to make sure they can do. Try setting the tests yourself or pay someone to do it for you. Try a commercial service, I am sure IPP, HRD & Payroll Solutions, the Payroll Alliance and others will do it, for a price. Ian Congreave and I worked on a facility to allow job candidates to satisfy you of their competency in an on line test, its not been launched yet but it will be and others will follow.

To me evidence of competency is the key, honesty is important but lets face it, we all exaggerate a bit so you would get caught up trying to work out if they have embelished their acheivements or just lied and if they are as competent as you need you may be able to live with a few white lies.

Ian Whyteside

pauliny2001 · PayPerShop Newbie Joined: 23 Jun 2007 Posts: 3

Thank you guys, you've been such a help. Will take you advice and work with it.