Constructive Paranoia

[Anonymouse]

To be a good little boy I'm applying for jobs...and knowingly shooting myself in the foot by telling them of my current poor state of health. But I honestly believe I should, as per H & S legislation - if I tell 'em in the cover letter, they take me on and something happens owing to said condition, I'm legally covered. I can readily prove this because jobsites keep a copy of each application. If I tell them beforehand - and if I can prove it - that puts the ball in their court.

I applied for a iob with an agency (not naming them yet, if at all). They require me to register. Fair enough. But then they ask me to upload my passport details. I'm just about to when sense kicks in. Under the Data Protection Act they're entitled to info they need. As far as I can see they only need name and address - the employer, in the unlikely event I get that far, might need my passport as proof of my right to work in the UK, but I don't see why an agency does.

Here's the constructive paranoia: supposedly my details are being passed to a secure service. First, how do I know it's secure? Second, how do I know I didn't get the email from an AI? (Okay, how do they know I'm not an AI?) Sending off my passport details just to register with a bloody agency seems a bit much.

This is (supposedly) to keep in line with government legislation. Sorry, but they're constantly proving we can't trust them, so I'm not inclined to trust their legislation.

Is this in fact paranoia? Or am I right to be cautious?

You won’t get a job with any job agency if you’re not prepared to prove you’re eligible to work in the UK. It doesn’t have to be a passport, it can be a driving licence, provided it’s a photocard one. If you don’t have any photographic ID there are other more complicated ways of proving who you are.

The penalties levied against employers who give work to people who are not entitled to work in the UK have become severe. They aren’t going to take any chances.

[papa smurf]

Originally Posted by Chris

You won’t get a job with any job agency if you’re not prepared to prove you’re eligible to work in the UK. It doesn’t have to be a passport, it can be a driving licence, provided it’s a photocard one. If you don’t have any photographic ID there are other more complicated ways of proving who you are.

The penalties levied against employers who give work to people who are not entitled to work in the UK have become severe. They aren’t going to take any chances.

A letter from your mum

[Carth]

Originally Posted by papa smurf

A letter from your mum

In Welsh would be quite funny, how could they reject it

[Anonymouse]

Originally Posted by Chris

You won’t get a job with any job agency if you’re not prepared to prove you’re eligible to work in the UK. It doesn’t have to be a passport, it can be a driving licence, provided it’s a photocard one. If you don’t have any photographic ID there are other more complicated ways of proving who you are.

The penalties levied against employers who give work to people who are not entitled to work in the UK have become severe. They aren’t going to take any chances.

All true. But that doesn't answer my questions. I'm not being uncooperative - I will register...if I'm convinced my data will be secure. I am not so convinced. ATM I have no assurance whatsoever.

[Mr K]

Originally Posted by Anonymouse

All true. But that doesn't answer my questions. I'm not being uncooperative - I will register...if I'm convinced my data will be secure. I am not so convinced. ATM I have no assurance whatsoever.

Tell it to your DWP work coach. See what they say

[nomadking]

Looks like it's a legal requirement for employment agencies to do the checks, although the employer has to do their own checks.

you cannot establish a statutory excuse if the check is performed by a third party, such as a recruitment agency or your professional adviser.

A driving licence is NOT suitable.
List of suitable documents to use.