Once you seek for a job, you’re typically requested to offer lots of private data. However how have you learnt that data leads to protected fingers? We requested cyber security and HR specialists to clarify what data employers can ask you for, and steps you may take to maintain it protected.
Private data is data that identifies particulars about you, comparable to your identify or deal with. Some private data might be delicate—particulars about your race, ethnicity, political views, spiritual beliefs, sexual preferences or well being data.
Once you apply for a job or be part of as a brand new worker, employers have the best to request private data that’s related to the position you’re making use of for. “Most employers should be sure that they adjust to the Privateness Act and its obligations,” says Natasha Hawker, Managing Director of Worker Issues and creator of From Rent to Hearth and Every part in Between.
Ensure that the employer is authentic
Earlier than you share any details about your self, it’s essential to know who you’re sharing it with. “Verify that they’re a authentic employer earlier than you share your private data,” says Elizabeth Hampton, Deputy Commissioner on the Workplace of the Australian Info Commissioner. “It’s best to do that utilizing publicly obtainable sources, comparable to an internet search or the cellphone e-book. That is notably essential for anybody making use of for a job with a smaller or much less well-known non-public sector employer or an organisation based mostly exterior Australia.”
The knowledge employers can ask for
In keeping with Hawker, employers will mostly request:
- Your private data comparable to your full identify, e mail deal with, cellphone quantity and emergency contacts
- Your employment expertise together with achievements, instructional and qualification historical past, your expectations, expertise and references.
Along with that, for some roles, employers might also require:
- Driver’s licence and one other type of id comparable to a Medicare card
- Proof of your proper to work in Australia comparable to visa documentation and proof of id (for instance, your passport)
- Topic to the place, employers could ask for a police test or Working With Kids Verify in case you are working or caring for kids underneath 18 years of age.
Employers have a authorized obligation to make use of solely individuals with the best to work in Australia. For this reason they ask to see and take copies of passports and id paperwork.
“Sharing private paperwork repeatedly on-line can expose job seekers to some danger,” says Xavier Russo, Basic Supervisor of Certsy, a digital platform the place job seekers can securely retailer their non-public paperwork comparable to the best to work and drivers licenses. “We created Certsy in order that job seekers can pre-verify their credentials for employers whereas holding their paperwork protected.”
The knowledge employers can’t ask for
Employers should not ask for data that could be used to discriminate towards you. “It’s best to take into account whether or not that you must embrace your deal with or date of start in your resume,” Hampton advises. These particulars should not often related to your potential to carry out a job—besides if the data is required for a non-discriminatory motive, comparable to if that you must be over a specific age to function equipment.
At sure phases of the recruitment course of, an employer could ask to your id paperwork—for instance, to hold out a police or {qualifications} test. “If being an Australian citizen is an eligibility requirement in a specific position, you could be requested to offer your passport to confirm your citizenship,” Hampton says. “That is typically permitted underneath the Privateness Act, which permits an organisation to gather private data that’s moderately vital for its features or actions.”
Employers shouldn’t ask for irrelevant data, both. “If the employer is requesting data comparable to financial institution statements, your bank card historical past or medical stories that you must know why,” Hawker says. “You may have a proper to be up to date on the relevance of them acquiring such data, as this could possibly be invasive and extremely irrelevant.”
What to do you probably have considerations
“When you have any considerations, we encourage you to speak to the potential employer about why they want the non-public data,” Hampton says.
It’s best to ask questions comparable to:
- Do you could have insurance policies about how worker private data is collected and dealt with?
- What sort of worker private data do you retain?
- Is worker and candidate private data saved securely and the way lengthy is it saved for?
When you have considerations about how your private information could also be used, it’s essential to watch out when sharing data on-line. Methods to safeguard your data embrace not together with your deal with in your software and never responding to suspicious emails the place gives appear too good to be true.
What occurs to your data when you don’t get the job?
In case your software isn’t profitable, your private data rights will proceed to use to all the data you supplied. “In most conditions, the Privateness Act provides you a proper to ask for entry and corrections to the non-public data an organisation holds about you,” Hampton says.
The recruitment course of is constantly evolving, and the excellent news is that many companies are prioritising information safety. Some companies are beginning to leverage applied sciences comparable to Certsy, a government-accredited encrypted digital pockets the place you may simply and securely retailer important data comparable to your proper to work, police checks and driver’s licence.
Certsy is a SEEK-owned platform that makes the verification course of safer for job seekers to share their data on-line and easier for employers who require verifications. “Certsy helps you stand out to employers when making use of for jobs on SEEK, with out revealing your passport or different id paperwork at that early stage within the course of,” says Russo.
Offering your private data is a necessary a part of the job searching for course of, however it’s essential to recollect your private data is simply that—private. Being conscious of the data you share and realizing how it’s protected might help you make sure that it stays protected. Study extra about how SEEK protects your private data right here.
For those who suspect fraudulent exercise, please:
- Report it to SEEK – so we are able to take away any fraudulent advertisements and alert different jobseekers or advertisers.
- Report it to the ACCC- who will examine deceptive job and enterprise alternatives or e mail.
