I need advice quickly! Apologies for the length.
I was offered a job this week at University A (we'll just call it that). It's a university with an outstanding worldwide reputation, and I'm very interested in the position.
I'm currently employed, but have been considering leaving for quite some time. My current employer is unaware that I'm looking to leave. In fact, they just offered me a promotion a week ago during my annual review. The promotion will continue my career down a path I'm really not interested in pursuing (and keep me at a lower salary than I can afford to live on any longer). I asked for some time to think about it, knowing that my interviews with University A had gone well and could potentially lead to an offer.
So, the offer came and University A has asked for references. They want several references from my previous employer AND one reference from my current employer. Basically, it's a contingent offer. As long as my references come through, the job is mine.
I have not officially accepted the job. I told them when they made the offer last night that I was very uncomfortable with having them speak with my current employer, not because I have nothing to hide (they want to promote me, after all!), but because when I give them my two week notice it's going to come as a huge shock. I'm afraid that something negative might be said about me in the aftermath due to emotions running high. Obviously, I would give my two weeks notice before they receive a call.
This morning I emailed University A with a list of references containing only former places of employment and gave them the go ahead to call those individuals. I asked if we could speak on the phone further about my concerns with them contacting my current employer. When we spoke, I again expressed my concerns with having them contact my current employer and offered to email them my most recent performance review as an alternative (filled out last week during my annual review by my supervisor). HR person at University A was understanding and told me that the performance review could work. He said that they really do prefer to speak with the current employer, though, even if it's a few days after I've given notice. I'm guessing it's just some sort of protocol because they've been burned in the past?
He did say, though, that if the situation is really sour after I give my notice and I really don't think it's a good idea for them to talk to my current employer, they would work with me--it's not an all or nothing proposition. He mentioned that these phone calls are always very brief.
My question is: Is this normal??? University A is not some rinky dink operation with HR people who don't know what they're doing. I've never been in this situation before and find this all very strange.
Honestly, I think that after my supervisor recovers from the initial blow that she'll be fine to speak with them. It's not like I've done anything illegal/unethical/etc. while employed there. I get the impression that this is more or less what University A is wanting confirmed. Still, it just feels...risky?
Anyone here in HR who can offer some insight?
THANK YOU!
I was offered a job this week at University A (we'll just call it that). It's a university with an outstanding worldwide reputation, and I'm very interested in the position.
I'm currently employed, but have been considering leaving for quite some time. My current employer is unaware that I'm looking to leave. In fact, they just offered me a promotion a week ago during my annual review. The promotion will continue my career down a path I'm really not interested in pursuing (and keep me at a lower salary than I can afford to live on any longer). I asked for some time to think about it, knowing that my interviews with University A had gone well and could potentially lead to an offer.
So, the offer came and University A has asked for references. They want several references from my previous employer AND one reference from my current employer. Basically, it's a contingent offer. As long as my references come through, the job is mine.
I have not officially accepted the job. I told them when they made the offer last night that I was very uncomfortable with having them speak with my current employer, not because I have nothing to hide (they want to promote me, after all!), but because when I give them my two week notice it's going to come as a huge shock. I'm afraid that something negative might be said about me in the aftermath due to emotions running high. Obviously, I would give my two weeks notice before they receive a call.
This morning I emailed University A with a list of references containing only former places of employment and gave them the go ahead to call those individuals. I asked if we could speak on the phone further about my concerns with them contacting my current employer. When we spoke, I again expressed my concerns with having them contact my current employer and offered to email them my most recent performance review as an alternative (filled out last week during my annual review by my supervisor). HR person at University A was understanding and told me that the performance review could work. He said that they really do prefer to speak with the current employer, though, even if it's a few days after I've given notice. I'm guessing it's just some sort of protocol because they've been burned in the past?
He did say, though, that if the situation is really sour after I give my notice and I really don't think it's a good idea for them to talk to my current employer, they would work with me--it's not an all or nothing proposition. He mentioned that these phone calls are always very brief.
My question is: Is this normal??? University A is not some rinky dink operation with HR people who don't know what they're doing. I've never been in this situation before and find this all very strange.
Honestly, I think that after my supervisor recovers from the initial blow that she'll be fine to speak with them. It's not like I've done anything illegal/unethical/etc. while employed there. I get the impression that this is more or less what University A is wanting confirmed. Still, it just feels...risky?
Anyone here in HR who can offer some insight?
THANK YOU!