Hi all.
So I am in the process of switching companies, and this new company wants to write me an offer but they’re asking for my current salary and a copy of my payslips and last tax slip.
Frankly it is annoying me, I don’t want to provide these documents because I feel like it’s none of their business. So my question is : is it normal to ask for these documents (I heard about asking current salary but never the proof) and how much am I risking if I refuse ? This is not the only company that is making me an offer, but it certainly is (was?) my first choice.
Thanks for your help.
4 comments
It’s relatively normal. If you refuse, probably nothing happens, but you’re risking them pulling the offer. Really depends on if they have a very close second choice candidate or not.
It is quite normal for companies to ASK for some proof of your current salary as part of the screening process. I had this happened when applying to Japanese companies, WITCH, and FAANG alike. But in most cases I was able to deflect. My usual response is that I prefer to keep that info confidential and will provide my 源泉徴収票 once I join. Most of the time companies would accept that and move on to the offer step.
For some companies though, they will insist that they need proof of your current salary before making a offer and make it clear this is a deal breaker for them. Now it’s up to you if this is a hoop you’re willing to jump through.
And companies aren’t always explotative. When I jumped from a Japanese company to my first gaishikei, I gave them my payslip and they still doubled my salary.
During the background check, I’ve had to provide payslips for the previous X years, but with the salaries blacked out. It was basically just to prove previous employments. But this is just for background check purposes. Never given old payslips to my company, but I’ve given my wife’s payslips to get extra tax deductions and to have my kid under my insurance (basically to prove my income is higher).
For the new company, it’s common to give a handover tax slip, so the company can deduct tax properly. Not sure if this is required or if you can refuse and do your tax adjustment yourself. But I’ve never really seen an issue disclosing the tax numbers personally.
It’s a bit of a cringe yeah, but as others have mentioned, is normal. What I did usually is provide them the proof (non issue for me) and agree on X number of the salary regardless.
Just did this last week actually and got the number I wanted. Although the HR did point out not to “discuss” the salary with my peer. Definitely a red flag I’d have to face later in the employment I think but yeah it works out fine.