champchamp

Certified Savage

Acclaimed Answer

Hiring manager asking for my last paycheck?!?!?!

Hi fellas,

I went through the interview process with a tech company for an AE role. They are just expanding into the U.S. territory and I would be among their first U.S. hires.

After my final interview with the CEO, the Director called me to congratulate me and to mention they would be making me an offer.

He then asked if he could have my last paycheck. I know I should've refused right away and mentioned that my last paycheck has nothing to do with this role...

...But, I have been an SDR for almost two years and feel excited about finally becoming an AE and didn't want to push back too much, so I agreed.

Now, I haven't provided the check to them and plan on telling them that I signed an NDA with my previous company and that I cannot provide them with my last paycheck. Does this sound credible?

Finally, I feel like it is a big red flag that they are asking for my last paycheck and know they are only doing so to give me the lowest possible offer.

I would walk away from this company in any other situation, but as I mentioned, I am just extremely excited about the possibility of finally becoming an AE.

I just wanted to hear everyone's thoughts on this situation.

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46 comments

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braintank

Politicker

11

Enterprise Account Executive

Don't use an NDA as an excuse.

Ask them: can you explain why you need my paystub?

also, don't take this job. As a fist time AE you don't want to be the first rep in a new country. It sounds exciting but will likely be a massive pain in the ass.

champchamp

Arsonist

1

Certified Savage

Thank you, you were right about the NDA as it seems he didn't believe me so I just replied with this as it was via email.

Could you please share with me why "Company" needs to see my last paycheck? It is the first time a company has requested this from me and I have to admit that I do not feel completely comfortable with the request, as I do not fully understand the reasoning behind it.

CaneWolf

Politicker

7

Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract

Big red flag. Don’t go work there.

sahil

Notable Contributor

6

Deepak Chopra of Sales

It's illegal to ask how much money someone makes.

jefe

Arsonist

2

🍁

Such a common question nonetheless

champchamp

Arsonist

1

Certified Savage

Didn't know that, thanks for letting me know.

TheNegotiator

Arsonist

5

VP of Sales

You haven’t told us which country this company comes from.

If you really are amongst their first hires, chances are good they’re still using HR laws from other countries. Personally I do think US/Canadian HR law is a little soft on employees, there’s almost no onus on them at all and it’s unfair to companies, but fuck it. I am employee and I take full advantage.

Depending on where this company comes from, their idea of HR could be anywhere between communism and slavery. This kind of request could be totally normal, and therefore not really a red flag.

Unless you’ve exaggerated your current compensation (which I condone and encourage) and you don’t have a reason to hide them, just do it and get the job. There’s no real benefit to you to hide it. Hide your cheques when they start exceeding 5-figures, otherwise what’s the big deal?

If this company sounds like a tinpot, mom and pop operation, run far far away. But if they’re an organized/wealthy/prestigious brand, it will be highly advantageous to be amongst their first during expansion. There will be a lot of opportunity that you don’t want to miss out on.

If the potential of the organization looks promising, show them your cheques and get on with it. If not, flip them off and go get drunk.

champchamp

Arsonist

1

Certified Savage

Boom. This just helped me a shit ton, thank you. It is an Indian company so you might be right on what you mentioned about them still using HR laws from abroad, India in this case.

I did lie a little bit about my compensation (Increased it about 15k), the good thing is that my last paycheck shows more money cause I got good commission during my last month at my previous company, so it wouldn't seem like a lie.

The company has 1,000 employees, so not mom n' pop's shop but also not a prestigious brand.

I think that given the overall situation I'll just show them my damn check, see the offer, and unless I get a better offer next week( I have one last round interview) I'll accept the role at this company.

Oh, and I'll go get drunk regardless, thanks for the advice!

braintank

Politicker

0

Enterprise Account Executive

So many red flags here @champchamp --- you can do better.

How are they planning to support you as their first US-based employee? What is their GTM strategy?

ClutchDeluxe

Valued Contributor

3

asking people for money

Major red flag 🚩 I have never seen that before, ever! Unless you’re taking out a mortgage then your pay slips are your business

champchamp

Arsonist

0

Certified Savage

Thanks for your input, I totally agree. Seems super weird and the only reason I'm not walking away is that it is an AE role

CuriousFox

WR Officer

3

🦊

It's none of their damn business.

champchamp

Arsonist

1

Certified Savage

Agreed. I just emailed them asking to explain why they need to see that.

poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

3

☕️

Hell. Did you ask “why”?

champchamp

Arsonist

1

Certified Savage

I just asked emailed my would be boss about it so we'll see what he says

playerone

Politicker

2

Regional Account Executive

Keep applying so you have more than one offer to choose from

champchamp

Arsonist

0

Certified Savage

Yes, that's a good idea and I am doing that, should be getting more offers in 1-2 weeks. They seem to be in a rush to hire as they told me they'd like me to start ASAP.

I am worried they could withdraw the offer if I take too long.

playerone

Politicker

0

Regional Account Executive

How soon is ASAP?

champchamp

Arsonist

0

Certified Savage

He wants me to start by Wednesday next week if possible, I said I might need a bit more time than that but that we can discuss it once we are both happy with the offer.

Starting Wednesday means I'll probably need to sign an offer by tomorrow or Monday at the latest though haha

CaneWolf

Politicker

1

Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract

NO. This is a disaster waiting to happen.

champchamp

Arsonist

0

Certified Savage

I think so too, but it is an AE role, which is why I haven't told them to fuck off lol

KendallRoy

Politicker

2

AM

Massive red flag. You’re handling it well. It’s very hard to secure an AE role as an external SDR hire, so don’t throw away the opportunity. See what they come back with.

champchamp

Arsonist

0

Certified Savage

Thank you, we'll see what happens haha

SaaSam

Politicker

2

Account Executive

I've heard of this before. Buddy of mine had it happen. They had asked him how much he made at his previous company and then said their offer would be 20% over that. Wanted a pay stub to verify.

I still wouldn't be comfortable as you're right, they are only trying to get away with paying you the least amount possible.

I wouldn't run quite yet, tell them you're not comfortable with it and ask why they want it, see what kind of a salary you can negotiate and let their offer determine if you're going to kick rocks or not.

champchamp

Arsonist

0

Certified Savage

They said they want to see if I shared the right information regarding what I was making at my last company.

Also to "benchmark" me with other employees in the system with similar experience and background and be able to offer them the right package

Just so "It neither creates discrepancy within the system nor creates disillusionment with the new incumbent when he joins. That way everyone is happy. "

What do you think?

SaaSam

Politicker

1

Account Executive

I think that smells like a line of bullshit that they threw you so that they don't have to come right out and say that they want to pay you as little as possible.

champchamp

Arsonist

0

Certified Savage

Hahah I agree... bastards.

GDO

Politicker

1

BDM

Just don’t. Like you said, the pay check has nothing to do with the situation.

champchamp

Arsonist

0

Certified Savage

Totally agree, let's see what do their explanation is as to why they are asking for the paycheck

yeets

Politicker

1

Business Development Executive

https://community.spiceworks.com/topic/2109479-during-hiring-process-have-you-been-asked-to-provide-a-pay-stub

The poll is for IT Jobs but should be quite relevant. The majority (90%) of people who are asked to provide a pay stub and refuse still get an offer

champchamp

Arsonist

1

Certified Savage

This is great to know, thank you!

JuiceBox

Opinionated

1

Director

I wouldn't use an NDA as an excuse, its illegal for employers to ask you not to talk about compensation, i am not 100% sure this applies to sharing of paychecks, but i would guess it could, so if you try the "NDA" route, they might call bullshit and know they are right

champchamp

Arsonist

0

Certified Savage

You were right on this, unfortunately, I sent the email with the NDA excuse yesterday haha and he did seem to call BS on my excuse.

I am replying to him with this:

I agree, it caught me off guard when they mentioned that. They said they will send over my documents today so I should get them in the next few hours. (I said my previous co is sending over the virtual paychecks as I can't find them on my end)
In the meantime, could you please share with me why "Cpmpany" needs to see my last paycheck? It is the first time a company has requested this from me and I have to admit that I do not feel completely comfortable with the request, as I do not fully understand the reasoning behind it.

_____

Thoughts?

nomdeguerre

Executive

0

Account executive

You realize a pdf can be edited right? So, you can make it say whatever you want. That being said, I would never accept such a requirement. I think you’re likely right that they are looking to lowball you. In my experience Indian companies are notoriously frugal, so that would make sense.

Pachacuti

Politicker

1

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

I have seen something like this when you’re asking for a ton of money, way over what they may have budgeted. You don’t show them a pay stub though since that would probably violate some confidentiality agreement. You can show them a W2 though.

champchamp

Arsonist

0

Certified Savage

Thank you, I mean that would make sense but I am not really asking a ton of money. I truly think they just want to lowball me.

It is an Indian company expanding into the US so I feel like this might be common practice over there and now are attempting to do it here but idk.

dwightyouignorantsale

Politicker

1

Account Executive

This is, as the kids say, sus.

champchamp

Arsonist

0

Certified Savage

Indeed it is, very sus.

jefe

Arsonist

1

🍁

I've heard of someone volunteering their T4 (income tax statement) to show what they made, but ASKING for it!?

Flag couldn't get any redder....

champchamp

Arsonist

1

Certified Savage

Yep, also found out it is illegal in California, which is my "official" location.

jefe

Arsonist

0

🍁

Glad you've confirmed that, bookmark the (official) source!

NotCreativeEnough

Big Shot

1

Professional Day Ruiner

sounds like none of their business. I would say no, it isn't relevant to the new role and is personal to me. If they have a problem with that then it's not the right place to work.

champchamp

Arsonist

0

Certified Savage

Thank you, I agree.

SunTzu

Opinionated

1

Legendary Historical Figure

Run from this like a water buffalo being chased by a tiger!

SADNESSLieutenant

Politicker

0

Officer of ♥️

Dumpster fire

champchamp

Arsonist

0

Certified Savage

Perhaps it is haha

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