The practice of requesting past payslips during job interviews has become a contentious issue among job seekers and HR professionals alike.

While some view it as a routine part of the hiring process, others see it as a potentially unfair practice that undermines the true value of a candidate's skills and experience.

Critics argue that requesting payslips from previous employers may lead to candidates being undervalued and underpaid based on their past earnings, rather than being compensated according to their expertise and the responsibilities of the role they are applying for. This approach can perpetuate wage disparities and hinder the fair and equitable treatment of employees.

An anonymous Malaysian job seeker shared his discomfort with the practice, highlighting the lack of relevance in disclosing past salaries during interviews. With that also, he emphasised the importance of evaluating candidates based on their qualifications, skills, and experience, rather than their previous earnings.

“I really don’t like it when HR wants to know my past salary. Out of politeness, I kindly told them my expected salary.”

Similarly, another individual recounted a situation where a job interview was abruptly cancelled after the candidate declined to provide past payslips. This incident sparked a discussion on social media about the ethical implications of such requests and raised questions about the transparency and fairness of the hiring process.

He wrote, “This woman's interview with the company was cancelled after she refused to provide 3 months of her payslip, as requested. Put yourself in her shoes and consider how you would react to this situation.”

In light of these concerns, there is a growing sentiment that companies should reconsider their approach to salary negotiations and focus on assessing candidates based on their qualifications and potential contributions to the organization. Emphasising meritocracy and fair compensation practices can help create a more inclusive and equitable workplace environment where employees feel valued and respected for their skills and expertise.

So, what do you think? Should companies be permitted to request previous months' payslips, or should they prioritize expertise and experience when determining salary?

Source / Image Credit: Astro Awani , WorldOfBuzz, LinkedIn, The Mirror