Background check issue IB Full Time
Looking for some advice from anyone who's been through a UK IB/FCA-regulated background check.
I have a conditional offer and HireRight is struggling to verify an unpaid, informal startup advisory role that I disclosed on my CV. It wasn't employment, I wasn't paid, and there was never a contract, payslips or tax documentation.
The founder is now unwilling to provide any written confirmation or reference. He isn't claiming the work didn't happen, he just doesn't want to formally confirm anything.
I have plenty of evidence that the work was real (financial models, work product, messages, etc.), but HireRight says those aren't acceptable for employment verification.
I've explained the situation to both HireRight and the bank and clarified that this was an informal unpaid collaboration rather than employment.
Has anyone seen an offer rescinded in a situation like this, where the issue was verification rather than dishonesty? Curious how banks typically handle these cases.
***I do have prior written correspondence where he indicated he would be willing to confirm my involvement and provide references if needed, but when the background check actually started he decided not to participate.
Might be an issue - what did the bank say after you said it was an unpaid internship?
Usually you still need to provide proof - Why can't the person provide reference you worked there?
Thanks @Analyst 1 in IB - Cov. in IB - Cov and @WSoMonkey93 I haven't heard back from the bank yet as it's the weekend, so I'm still waiting and honestly a bit anxious. I really like the team and the role so I'd be very disappointed if the offer got rescinded over this. The issue isn't proving that the work happened. I have TONS of evidence.
The founder's official position is that he doesn't want to provide any written confirmation or reference for legal/tax reasons that would make him accountable in the future. Ironically I do have messages where he indicated he would be willing to confirm my involvement and provide references if needed, but when the background check actually started he decided not to participate.
It wasn't really an internship. It was more of an informal unpaid startup advisory/support role that I did part-time for about two years. I did it both while unemployed and later while working full-time. I helped launch the business and then stayed involved in an advisory/oversight capacity, which is exactly how I described it in interviews. I took it on to get exposure to something more entrepreneurial and help fill a gap on my CV. The startup wasn't profitable, so there was never any compensation and we never felt the need for a formal contract. At the time, the founder was very positive about my contribution and willing to provide references.
I know I did the work and can prove it, so I haven't fabricated anything. My concern is simply that this is a bank and an FCA-regulated role, so they may have to follow stricter verification requirements.
I'll keep you posted.
Not an issue. Say it wasn’t a formal employment. HireRight will simply add this to the logs they give the firm. There is absolutely no issue here.
do u have to add unpaid employment to these
I've heard mixed views. Some people say not to include unpaid work because it wasn't formal employment.
A friend left an unpaid experience off his bachground check for that reason(which was on his CV). During the background check, HR asked about it he explained it was unpaid and there were no consequences, they just told him to include it next time.
If it's unpaid but supported by a contract or formal documentation/letter, you should be fine.
TBF if I'd known the founder would refuse to confirm references, I would have listed it under Activities or Startup Projects rather than Professional Experience. Hard-to-verify unpaid advisory work is less messy than hard-to-verify employment.
You’ll be good bro don’t worry. Happened to me and you just have to clarify it with your bank
Actually been in a similar boat to you recently RE background checks. I had something come up for verification of academic tutoring that I did in my spare time and I had to get confirmation from the old platform where they clarified what type of employment it was - it can be tricky or easy to forget if its something you did a while go but I think as long as you explain (genuine error if you've forgotten what contract/employment type it was) it's fine- you've explained it fairly well so really don't see the issue here, as long as you spell it out to HR / HireRight. Don't stress and congrats on the role
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