Community Chat

[elated]

Is this a joke? I never ever heard of such tactics when interviewing for another job while still working for your current employer. If this is true, I would have told the interviewer thanks but no thanks. Apparently, ths person has no backbone to stand up for his/her self.

[Burnsite]

I don't live in PA, but I've never heard of additional letters requested _after_ a job interview.

If it were me and I were still interested in the job, I would ask the boss before this current job--the last good boss--for the letter.  If questioned about the current job, say that the search is confidential and it can't be risked, as it would jeopardize one job in an effort to get another--at a company that isn't doing things as usual.  The protection of the anonymity of a search until the final stages is well understood in my field.  The candidate might not get the job, and the job search itself would be used against the person trying to be hired elsewhere.

Your relative could call the Attorney General of PA, too, for an opinion on the legality of this.  This seems quite unusual.  Your loved one might want to reconsider this as a good place to work, esp. if s/he finds out that this kind of query is illegal in PA.  Even in FL, where almost anything goes, such a query would be very, very odd.

[Shorty2U]

I agree with all of you. I talked to the person today and they are not going to hand the boss the paper. They may call and say something, (they are now reconsidering that).

Again this is a top notch employer, so no one can get over that they are doing this because they didnt do this before!

I hope it wasnt given because they wont get the job, (how cruel to do this and not just tell them no).

I want to add too, when this person first applied for the job they filled out many papers, had a short interview, and had given their resume and job information and references then so YES i do NOT get WHY they didnt just call the persons former jobs and check themselves!.

The whole thing makes no sense, but I have now read the form too (sent to me via email) and its true, it is a paper for the current employer to fill out with extensive questions = ridiculous!

Thank you for your replies. I appreciate them and you are all right in what you stated!

[sfnative]

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@Moonchilde wrote:

I don't know if it differs from state to state, but in my state what they are asking is illegal, and a "former" employer is not expected to comply either - and doesn't most of the time.

In CA a prospective employer can only ask you a proscribed small list of questions, and if called, a former employer can volunteer NO info about the former employee, and ONLY refer them to HR - who will then only verify dates if employment and "yes" or "no" when asked if the person is eligible for re-hire. If they say anything that makes the other company rule them out/not hire them at the point of the phone call, they can be sued, and former employees have won these suits.

It could well be a "test" to see how people respond. I know I would not want to work for a company (no matter how desperate I was) that would try/pull something like that.

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@Moonchilde

Totally agree with Moonchilde, having worked nearly my entire life in California,

I've received many telephone calls from prospective employers of people who were my former employees, but never any manner of document requiring completion.  I always told the inquiring party on the phone that I would limit the number and kind of questions asked.

Honestly, in the case of your friend, it is a blatant attempt to "possibly" getting around current state policies, which may exist in your area.  And, I also agree with the point you made regarding having an undesirable boss.  When asked if a prospective employer could contact my current employer, I've sometimes indicated "No" for the very reasons of which you speak.  I always came prepared with a raft of "letters of qualification"/"reference," which always brought me into a better light than having a toxic boss reply in writing. 

Here's all the best to your friend in quest of a better position.

[Desertdi]

Sounds to me like the interviewer was trying to get rid of the applicant

[INDIANA BONES]

Illegal in my state.  We only supply start and stop dates.  Yes, our tone of voice can help convey more to callers but we can't   legally state why they no longer work for the company nor how many days they missed.   Check the Internet for free legal advice in your state.   Lawyers are available for free to respond to such questions.   My question would one really want to work for a company like this. 

[Shorty2U]

Thank you again for the replies. I agree with mostly everything that was said here and I appreciate your input.

To clear this up, they were not trying to get rid of the applicant, this is their new policy according to 2 others who the applicant knows that work there. (This was just started in the past few months). But it is my opinion that they get rid of this policy because yes it is just plain wrong!

That being said, the applicant has decided (as of this morning). not to bother calling to explain, because they do not agree with the new policy. They will keep their job for now and also look elsewhere for new employment.

And I might add, hopefully if others applying refuse to do what was asked I am sure they will stop asking. In fact it is my belief that others may have refused because it took 2 months after applying to get to the person we know. As in I believe they are going down through applicants one by one and are striking out. So its their loss, they could have had a wonderful employee.

[Lucky Charm]

It's a shame they don't let this prospective employer know, then, that their hiring techniques are the reason why your friend isn't going to pursue a job there.

It may be to your friend's benefit instead of just letting it go.