Will My Employer Find Out About My IVA?

Your Employer Is Not Notified

Your employer will not be automatically notified that you have entered into an IVA. Unlike bankruptcy, which can sometimes trigger employer notification obligations, an IVA does not involve any direct contact with your employer by your IP or the courts.

The Public Register

Your IVA will be listed on the Individual Insolvency Register — a publicly searchable database at gov.uk. While this is technically public information, your employer is very unlikely to routinely check this register unless they have specific reason to do so, such as conducting enhanced financial background checks.

Check Your Employment Contract

Some employment contracts contain clauses relating to personal insolvency. These are most common in:

• Financial services (banking, insurance, investment management)
• Legal professions (solicitors, barristers)
• Certain public sector roles (civil service, security clearance roles)
• Accountancy and audit
• Senior management or directorship roles

If your contract contains an insolvency clause, you should take legal advice before proceeding with an IVA. You could also raise the matter confidentially with your HR department — they are not permitted to discriminate solely on the basis of financial difficulty.

Directors of Companies

If you are a company director, an IVA does not automatically disqualify you from being a director. However, you should review your company's articles of association and any shareholder agreements, as some contain provisions about director insolvency.