Job Application-Asks for info on current supervisor.

[JJKTY]

I am currently applying to new nursing jobs at different hospitals at this time. I like my current position in the hospital I am in right now, the people I work with, it's benefits etc. and I've been with this hospital for a little over 2 years. With this in mind however, I have also been wanting to move to a new state to be closer to family and am in general looking for a lifestyle change. Basically, I am seeking work in other hospitals because of personal reasons, not because I dislike my current job.

During my search, I found one hospital system that has gotten good reviews on this website, other websites, and people speak well of it. I went to apply for a position within this hospital, and once I opened the job application on it's website, it now requires me to list my current supervisor, my supervisors contact information and gives me a yes/no option if they can contact my supervisor in order to submit this job application.

A possible scenario: they contact my supervisor, my supervisor finds out I am seeking work elsewhere and they do not provide me with a job offer.

My fear: Boss now will not look favorably upon me and anytime a situation occurs in which there is conflict, negotiation etc: "JJKTY is trying to leave us anyway, why should we invest time for JJKTY or look out for a nurse who is not going to stay?"

I have filled out numerous job applications in the past, this is the first that I've stumbled upon which requires this information. I know it's not wise to let others know within a company you're working for you are seeking work elsewhere. Is this info they are requesting a strange practice? Should I provide them with this contact information? Would it be a red flag for them if I told them not to contact my current supervisor that I am seeking a job within their hospital? Do I put my current job at risk if I give them this information?

[JKL33]

This is one of those situations in which you simply can't control every possible outcome. If you are in good standing at your current place of employment then your supervisor would be a fool to make disparaging remarks about you when/if contacted.

If you put "no," then you run the risk of not getting past the very first step.

Personally I would allow them to contact my supervisor, and I would tell my supervisor that I've reluctantly decided to put out a few feelers to get an idea of the job market near where my family lives. And that although I would have mixed feelings about doing so because I really enjoy my job, I will eventually need to move closer to family.

This is 50/50. People who have had difficult workplace relationships/managers may say to not allow contact, others who have had better experiences will say to allow contact so you don't run the risk of your app being essentially rejected.

Best of luck ~

[klone, MSN, RN]

It's quite common and normal for people to request that you not contact your current supervisor. HR understands this, and the reason why. I don't think you will encounter a problem if you select the "No" box for that question.

[RNNPICU, BSN, RN]

I did that once. I selected no. They asked me why. I said, I really enjoy my current place of employment,

but am looking different oportunities. I don't want to create an upset in my current environment. It may not have been these exact words, but something to that extend

[cyc0sys]

Refer them to HR. I often put the number of HR in the previous supervisor block with this intent.

I like to get recommendation letters before conducting a job search. Performance review is a good time to hit your supervisor up for these recommendations.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

It's quite common and normal for people to request that you not contact your current supervisor. HR understands this, and the reason why. I don't think you will encounter a problem if you select the "No" box for that question.

I agree. I always check "no" to this question when I fill out job applications and yes, it is quite a common question. I've never had anyone ask "why don't you want your current supervisor contacted?" because they know it's because I don't want my current supervisor to know I'm looking. At my last job, I didn't even meet my new boss until after I'd given him my notice (my boss was fired shortly before I left). I provide other references when asked and the prospective employer contacts them. I've never used a current supervisor as a reference. Never had a problem finding a new job, either.