Potential employer wants to talk to CURRENT boss as reference

ajaxgirl · Nov 4, 2009

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!

That's my feel too.

Batman24 · Nov 4, 2009

Say NO. You don't risk yur current job and they should understand that. I've never let them contact my current employer. If they don't it's not the place for you and move on. Good luck.

Freedom42 · Nov 4, 2009

I just went through this last week. I can't remember a job situation where a potential employer has not asked to contact my current employer. Of course, the contact has always been made after there is an offer on the table with the caveat that it will be withdrawn if references aren't good.

That said, last week I told my current boss that I have a couple of interviews lined up. It led to a good conversation about what my plans were and my intent to give ample notice. Since I've been up front with her all along, it didn't come as a surprise -- and I'm confident that she will give me a good reference since she won't be taken by surprise if and when the phone rings.

As for what the potential employer can ask, there are no limits. It's what the current employer can say that's dictated by institutional policy. That's why many only confirm dates of employment. The vast majority of libel and slander suits involve remarks made by employers in reference situations, not media reports. There's no need for your employer to worry about making positive statements, however, which is why I favor being up front with the boss.

Besides, if you tell your boss privately that you're job hunting, that gives him or her a chance to counter, whether by increasing your pay, improving your hours, or giving you the assignment you really want, provided the boss wants to keep you.

AmaurosisFugax · Nov 4, 2009

I find this request very unnerving. Many people don't want their current boss to know they are looking elsewhere, & if the current boss doesn't want to lose the employee they can easily sabotage the new job. While standard application forms do have 'can we contact' item, most potential employers know applicants don't want the present employer to know they are searching & if they do need to verify employment they do that after a firm offer has been made. Also many places hardly provide info beyond name/rank/serial number these days due to fear of lawsuits. Another concern is, if one's current employer knows someone is looking, they can legitimately feel the employee is unhappy & so may not be functioning at the best level. There are many other ways to verify employment (like a call to HR rather than current boss).

tabacue · Nov 4, 2009

Is your current job a close match to the job you are interviewing for? Is your past experience un-related? That is the only reason I can come up with as to why they would insist on current employment.

You mentioned wanting to keep both jobs. Some employers consider working at other facilities "moonlighting". That can be grounds for termination. If that isn't the case here, shouldn't you just go to your boss with the "In this economy, I am really thinking I need to take a second job, but I don't want to jeopardize my position here. How do feel about that?" If the response is ok - ask for the reference. If not, then decide which one you want.

I just had an incident where an employer outsourced their reference/background checking. I don't recall if their application asked if the current employer could be contacted. I vaguely remember typing in a box "Currently employed - do not contact" but can't say for sure because of the number of applications I filled out. Sure enough they called them. Created an awkward environment for a little while, but I decided to remain silent unless I was asked and nothing ever came up and I didn't accept the offer anyway.

FLmomof5 · Nov 4, 2009

I would say it all depends upon YOUR current work situation.

Like you said, you wanted both jobs. (Are you looking for extra income?)

Even if your current employer knows about your desires and is "ok" with it, it can still backfire. If you are unavailable to take an extra shift.....if you cannot work late....if you are tired....if you are sick..... this will all be attributed to the impact of the second job.....and could land on your performance appraisal or be used against you.

When they need to cut back (layoff) guess who is first in line?

Although applications have asked if I was OK with them checking my current employer....(and I marked NO), I have never been asked if it was OK to check.

As far as the reference goes, most of my previous employers will ONLY tell "yes, she worked here - from this date to that date and her job title was XYZ" Even the "failsafe" question "Is he/she eligible for rehire?" is now avoided. That was a way for a prior employer to shoot you in the foot and for a future employer to 'infer' that you were fired or were a bad employee. It gets lawsuits now as well.

Honestly. references are the dumbest thing in the world. Most prior employers will only verify that you were there. More detailed references are picked by you and you would never pick someone who wouldn't gush about you. :icon_roll:icon_roll

allnurses Guide · Nov 4, 2009

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?

I have to be honest and please bear in mind I am in the UK, I would always ask for a reference from a current employer, I would not accept a co-worker and find it strange when an applicant does not put a current employer on the reference.

We are also not allowed to make job offers until the references have been given.

Lacie, BSN, RN · Nov 4, 2009

Keep in mind you also may have signed a release of information in which they by law can not only contact your employer but ask specifics. As a DON I also thought that all we could give was dates of employment and/or if they are rehirable. This is not true. With a signed consent for release of information they can tell them anything that is in your employment file related to absentism, tardiness, write ups and if and why you were terminated. As long as it is "truthful" they can tell them without repercussion. Then you have a hard time proving they werent truthful. My company request a writen consent form which is faxed to us then we fill out what information the proposed employer is requesting. Also be surprised how many "off the record" discussions are done with that signed release. I would not permit a potential employer to contact my current unless I have no issue with them knowing I am job hunting. I have seen too many times when admin knows someone is seeking other employment then causing the employee to go immediately on the radar. Just my 2 cents and from previous experience.

systoly · Nov 4, 2009

I believe the request itself is fair, however, insisting on it would give me a very bad taste and I'd be very concerned about a fruitful relationship with the prospective employer. As FLmomof5 said, it really depends on your current situation and your plans and goals. Some companies, becoming aware of an employees job seeking, will sit down with the employee and try to retain, while others will immediately escort this employee to the door no matter how good the track record. The best thing that happened to me was in my early years, when I thought being open and up front was the best policy. I informed my manager that she may be getting calls as I was actively pursuing employement elsewhere. I was offered the day shift (which is what I was after) and a raise to make up for the shift differential. About three months later I was introduced to a new nurse, told she'd be taking over my position and I was to orient her and, oh ya, I could have my old shift back if I wanted it. Anyway, I have learned that being up front will usually do more harm than help. Also, while an employer may not openly say anything negative, there are a million ways to make an employee sound bad, the oldest one in the book, "he/she always tried to do a good job". I do believe in always offering two weeks notice and any prospective employer who will not accomodate that is undesirable in my book.

OldnurseRN · Nov 4, 2009

I always reply my current employer can be contacted AFTER a job offer is made.

HealthShepherd · Nov 5, 2009

That's a tough situation, Ajaxgirl.

I don't know if this is any help - but an HR department can probably provide you with a letter of employment without thinking there's anything suspicious. I got one from my hospital when I was applying for an apartment and needed evidence of my salary. The letter just reported my hire date, position, and salary.

So, I'd offer the new hospital such a letter of employment - it doesn't prove that anyone thought you were a good nurse, but at least it proves that you have the experience you claim on your resume. If that's not enough - unfortunately, I'd have to think twice about whether you really want the new job.

As I see it, the new hospital is telling you now that they'll put your career at risk (by jeopardizing your current job, or at least jeopardizing your relationship with your current boss) in order to reduce risk to the hospital (the risk that hiring you without all available information would be a mistake). If that's their attitude now, it will probably be the same when you're practicing there.

But if you really want the new job and decide to take the risk, I'd suggest that you do some damage control and tell your manager ahead of time that you're looking for a second job and there might be a call about it. It's probably better for your manager to think that you're moonlighting than to think that you're quitting.

Good luck!

caliotter3 · Nov 5, 2009

Nothing odd about it. Their best point of reference for your future performance is your current performance. What I found odd was when I was told by a coworker that he had found out that he was being blacklisted because his current boss was so pleased with his work that he did not want to lose him. By badmouthing the worker to prospective employers he insured that the worker would not be leaving anytime soon. But of course, this backfired somewhat when the employee found out about the lies. Telling the truth does not always happen when employers are serving as references. That is a misconception workers have because they believe that only dates of employment can be given out. Any "opinion" about your job performance is fair game for disclosure. Because they are expressing their "opinion" about your job performance, you have no recourse because it is assumed to be true and they can express any "opinion" that they choose. This was told to me by an employment attorney.