Etiquette regarding when you know a coworker is applying for other jobs

[Anonymous]

A coworker who I used to supervise and still works in my division (of about 35 people), has been listing me as a reference on job applications. I got two calls yesterday from employers wanting to get my feedback on this coworker. So, he is applying for other jobs. No one else in the division knows about this. Should I be protecting the coworker and not reveal this information. Or, should I warn his supervisor that he's looking to leave?

My boss thought that I needed to share this type of information with his supervisor. But, after I did (after the first phone call), I felt a little guilty about not talking with the coworker first. So, after the second call, I did talk with the coworker and let him know that I had told his supervisor.

One of the jobs he applied for was within our agency -- so it was only a matter of time before this news got out. On the other hand, I'm not sure its useful to tell the supervisor. I'm confident that the employee won't be retaliated against or somehow punished for applying for another job.

[Anonymous]

Edited to add...If I wasn't a manager, I wouldn't consider sharing this information at all.

[Anonymous]

No, say nothing. Why not move around. It is the only way to get a pay raise or promotion.

[Anonymous]

Why would you tell the supervisor??

Also, when you agreed to be a reference, that would have been the time to point out that you were planning on tattling.

Also, part 2. Your friend is an idiot.

[Anonymous]

I guess things work differently for Feds. I think it's pretty crappy of you to tell his business.

[Anonymous]

I would NEVER share that information. It's not your story to tell.

[Anonymous]

Wow, I would never dream of telling the supervisor. Just seems like a bitchy thing to do. I mean, what good does it to? And you have no way of knowing he won't be retaliated against. His supervisor will start looking for a replacement and if he finds one before coworker finds a new job, what do you think will happen?

[Anonymous]

OP....ugh.

[Anonymous]

Ugh I know your type.

[Anonymous]

Simply ask if you would want that information shared with your boss and you probably already know that you shouldn't have done it.

[Anonymous]

OP, let me guess. You also would gleefully run to the teacher in school when Larla was playing with something she wasn't supposed to, or said a word that she wasn't supposed to. And then felt smug in your superiority that YOU were the one to call them out on it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would NEVER share that information. It's not your story to tell.

X100000 it's like telling your boss you know someone is pregnant. MYOB

[Anonymous]

For this very reason, if I am using someone internal as a reference on a job application I always tell them beforehand and ask them to keep it confidential. Something similar happened to me once where an office director assumed that I was getting the job because he had been contacted and proceeded to tell everyone in the office that I was leaving. I was a finalist, but I did not get the job. It was very awkward.

OP, you've asked us whether you should tell or not, but it sounds like you already did. All you can do now is apologize to the person, wish them the best of luck, and promise to be more discreet in the future.

[Anonymous]

OP you're the eat reason that person is looking to leave

[Anonymous]

Wow. So glad you weren't my reference. We recently got re-orged and I got stuck reporting to a less than ideal supervisor. As soon as I saw the org chart, I dusted off my resume and began applying elsewhere (this woman has a horrible reputation as a supervisor - micromanaging, doesn't handle stress well and comes completely unhinged at times. How she still manages people- I don't know - but I didn't want my career to be derailed because of this. ANYWAY, I had an interview and they subsequently checked my references and talked to my old boss. I received a job offer and it was for a much etter position and a very good promotion (I am guessing based on his recommendation). He never let on that they had contacted him until I let him know I had the job and that it had been a pleasure working with him (he was one of the first people I told). He congratulated me and told me how things played out. He had no desire to inform my current supervisor because she IS the type that would retaliate. ANYWAY... if that person doesn't get that job and they are stuck there- you may have done them a big disservice.