Current Job Reference: Why do they ask this question?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's sort of okay if it's basically that they are giving you an offer but it's conditional on a good reference from current employer. Anything else just stinks and frankly will probably rule out strong candidates. My current fed position pushed for a reference from a partner at my law firm when I joined years ago. I had to push back hard and only gave them a go once I had s conditional offer. My firm did not know I was looking and I actually wasn't really looking - if the fed position hadn't come through I didn't really plan on leaving right away. It could have been career suicide. Also, I wanted to know what I was being offered in terms of salary and a few other particulars first.

It's short sighted because I was well liked at my firm. If it was a situation where I was being pushed out then it would probably have been easy to provide the reference.

PP again, I really think this practice only serves to attract only desperate candidates. Otherwise, who would open themselves up this way if they already have a decent job? If they don't get the new job they may also be pushed out of their existing job of at least marginalized.

[Anonymous]

If it's being done before you've even interviewed in person with a decision maker, someone's wanting contacts./

[Anonymous]

My insurance provider has instructed my business to only give "neutral" information about an employee (when they started, their job title, etc.). I am not allowed to say anything negative about anyone because that may get the business sued for defamation if that negative reference prevents the ex-employee from getting a job. This includes people who were let go because they stole from the company, faked an illness to get disability/paid leave/insurance, threatened physical harm to other employees, stopped coming to work for extended periods, spent all day gambling and not working, etc.

http://employment.findlaw.com/hiring-process/is-a-former-employer-s-bad-reference-illegal-.html

I am not really supposed to say anything nice either (since the inference is that an employee must be shady if I don't say something nice).

[Anonymous]

I would opt out of any hiring process that wanted to talk to my current boss before making an offer that I have accepted. Insistence on jeopardizing my job before making me an offer and negotiating salary means I don't want to work for you. I work in the private sector though so maybe things are different for Feds.

When I was a hiring manager I was not allowed to provide ANY references. Employment is confirmed though some automated solution, not taking to anyone. Again, private sector.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would opt out of any hiring process that wanted to talk to my current boss before making an offer that I have accepted. Insistence on jeopardizing my job before making me an offer and negotiating salary means I don't want to work for you. I work in the private sector though so maybe things are different for Feds.

When I was a hiring manager I was not allowed to provide ANY references. Employment is confirmed though some automated solution, not taking to anyone. Again, private sector.

+1
I couldn't agree more. Seems like it would only be the first of many unreasonable requests and expectations.