UK job applicants can decline to disclose salary history, advisers say

Job applicants in the UK do not have to disclose their current salary when asked during an interview, although employers are allowed to raise the subject, according to guidance reported by the BBC. Louise Rudd, a senior adviser at Acas, said there are no UK regulations preventing employers from asking about current pay or salary expectations. She said employers should ask candidates the same questions to ensure fair treatment.

Campaigners have opposed salary-history questions because they can perpetuate historic pay inequalities linked to gender, race and disability. The Fawcett Society has argued that employers should assess skills, experience and performance rather than an applicant’s previous pay or negotiating ability. The Recruitment and Employment Confederation has also supported ending the practice.

Its campaigns director, Shazia Ejaz, advised jobseekers to approach pay discussions with realism and confidence. Applicants who do not want to disclose their salary can instead give their expectations or discuss their understanding of the role’s pay range. They can also focus on their skills and experience and explain the contribution they would make.

Ejaz said candidates who research market rates and can show their potential value are in a stronger position to secure a suitable package. New rules being introduced in the European Union will prevent employers from asking about salary history. The supplied material says the UK government’s plans instead focus on requiring salary information in job advertisements.

The BBC report also warns that lying about current pay may carry risks that outweigh any possible benefit. Applicants are free to disclose their salary if they choose, but there is no requirement to do so.