Can potential employers contact your current employer?

Prospective employers usually understand the nature of a confidential job search and will not contact your current employer unless given permission to do so. Still, it’s a good idea to let anyone know your current employer is unaware of your job search and ask that they respect your privacy.

Is it okay to say not to contact previous employer?

It’s perfectly acceptable to answer no to contacting your current employer. Most employers understand this and usually won’t have any effect on their decision. It’s usually okay to answer “no” for “can we contact your current employer.” It’s not okay to answer “no” for companies you aren’t working for anymore.

Can an employer tell you not to talk to a former employee?

There is nothing illegal about this. In general, an employer has the legal right to establish formal or informal rules that are unfair, obnoxious, harsh, or make no sense. The two most common laws that employers break when they institute “no talking” policies are discrimination laws and laws related to unions.

Do hiring managers have the right to call previous employers?

They have the right to call current and previous employers, however most wisely will first get permission from the candidate first. As a hiring manager, I rarely called any previous managers. Most companies have rules governing how to respond to such calls.

Does answering “no” mean my current employer won’t be contacted?

Answering “no” does not guarantee your current employer won’t be contacted, however. It’s always possible someone at the new company knows someone at the current company, or that the person making calls for references won’t notice your answer.

Can a new company call for references from the current company?

It’s always possible someone at the new company knows someone at the current company, or that the person making calls for references won’t notice your answer. It’s uncommon, but it can happen, so please check out our related advice on how to job search while employed for tips on how to be cautious.

Should you contact your current employer or your previous employer?

If none of the above will work for you and you’re certain that your previous employer will say something negative–just say no. Try to include other references and past employers they can contact instead. It’s perfectly acceptable to answer no to contacting your current employer.