Key points
- Employers are not usually contacted
- IVAs appear on the public Individual Insolvency Register
- Some regulated jobs require disclosure
- Your employer is only contacted if they're also one of your creditors
- Bankruptcy has stricter effects on some jobs than an IVA
Who gets told?
Your creditors and the credit reference agencies are informed, and the IVA is listed on the public Individual Insolvency Register while it's active. Employers aren't routinely told, and very few people search the register.
Jobs that may require disclosure
- Some financial services roles regulated by the FCA
- Solicitors, accountants and some other professions
- Police, armed forces and some security-vetted jobs
- Company directors don't usually have to step down because of an IVA (unlike bankruptcy)
Check your contract or staff handbook, as some employers include a clause requiring you to tell them about financial difficulties.
What if my employer is a creditor?
If you owe your employer money, for example a salary advance, they would be told because they're a creditor.
More: IVAs explained · IVA vs DMP
Frequently asked questions
Can I be sacked for having an IVA?
In most jobs, no. If your contract requires disclosure and you don't disclose, that could cause problems, so check first.
Can I get a new job with an IVA?
Yes. Most jobs don't check, though some financial and security roles do credit checks.
Does an IVA show on a DBS check?
No. A DBS check covers criminal records, not debt.
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Sources and further reading
This guide is general information, not advice, and was correct when last updated. Rules and limits can change. Speak to a regulated adviser about your own situation.