Potential employer wants to talk to CURRENT boss as reference

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Do you find this an odd request and how would you handle this?

I would tell them no and I would tell them why. If the position is not already offered to you and you allow this, it could jeopardize your current employment or impact your current relationship with you boss should you decide to stay where you are or the potential employer decides not to offer you the position.

I would state that you would hope that they could recognize that they could put you in a very tenuous position and that you would not feel comfortable with this.

If they say then we won't offer you the job, then say, cool and walk out.

I have found that how a company treats you during the hiring process is the best they will treat you. If they are willing to show you a lack of respect now, it will only get worse in the future!

Just MHO.

Specializes in Hospice, LTC, Rehab, Home Health.

Not necessarily , especially if you didn't mark it on your application that you did not want them to contact your current employer. When I worked in retail all we could say is whether the person was eligible for rehire and the employment dates--no details.

It's not odd -- every employment application I've filled out in for as long as I can remember has asked whether or not they can contact my current employer.

I have always found this to be a standard that your potential employer will ask to speak with your current employer. I believe they can't discuss details, like FLArn stated, dates of employment and status for rehire, I think they might also be able to ask about attendance, but they can't ask for anything specific. If there is something to be uncovered, you could discuss that with your potential employer, but I believe that the standard is "less is better". That you shouldn't be airing your dirty laundry to your potential employers--

I would tell them no and I would tell them why. If the position is not already offered to you and you allow this, it could jeopardize your current employment or impact your current relationship with you boss should you decide to stay where you are or the potential employer decides not to offer you the position.

I would state that you would hope that they could recognize that they could put you in a very tenuous position and that you would not feel comfortable with this.

If they say then we won't offer you the job, then say, cool and walk out.

I have found that how a company treats you during the hiring process is the best they will treat you. If they are willing to show you a lack of respect now, it will only get worse in the future!

Just MHO.

It does put me in a difficult spot since I wanted to keep both jobs. My current employer will not be pleased at all.

Not necessarily , especially if you didn't mark it on your application that you did not want them to contact your current employer. When I worked in retail all we could say is whether the person was eligible for rehire and the employment dates--no details.

I had an interview, then I emailed her references as she asked me to to. Then she said she wants a current boss as a reference. I told her it puts me in a tough spot etc. She said the hospital recommends a current employer as a reference. She said if my references check out, I will be offered the job.

Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.
I had an interview, then I emailed her references as she asked me to to. Then she said she wants a current boss as a reference. I told her it puts me in a tough spot etc. She said the hospital recommends a current employer as a reference. She said if my references check out, I will be offered the job.

Is there a charge nurse or nurse educator that you have a good relationship with who you can be confident will also keep this discreet?

Get it in writing.....verbal agreements mean nothing. This is your career, you need to make sure you have the new position before doing anything to put your current position in danger. Just my 2 cents.

Is there a charge nurse or nurse educator that you have a good relationship with who you can be confident will also keep this discreet?

No, she is the charge nurse.

I have fellow co workers but I dont think she would be ok with that.

Do you find her request unusual?

Get it in writing.....verbal agreements mean nothing. This is your career, you need to make sure you have the new position before doing anything to put your current position in danger. Just my 2 cents.

I agree, though this may offend her. Do you find her request odd?

In the past they never specified a CURRENT employer.

I find it very unusual. I have always told them that they could NOT contact my current employer and have never had to explain why. It's a no-brainer!

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