Is it normal for a prospective employer to require a reference from the applicants current supervisor? [closed]

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I was recently applying for a job in Australia, and it said

It is a requirement that your most recent supervisor is nominated as
one of your referees. Nominated referees may be contacted at any time
during the recruitment and selection process.

I don't want my current employer to know that I am applying for jobs elsewhere. Is this requirement even legal?

Could most recent supervisor possibly be interpreted as the most recent supervisor that you are not currently working for?

job-search applications australia

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edited 36 mins ago

asked Sep 15 at 12:25

WetlabStudent

1679

closed as off-topic by Thomas Owens, Dukeling, gnat, Twyxz, gazzz0x2z Sep 17 at 9:53

This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:

• "Questions seeking advice on company-specific regulations, agreements, or policies should be directed to your manager or HR department. Questions that address only a specific company or position are of limited use to future visitors. Questions seeking legal advice should be directed to legal professionals. For more information, click here." – Thomas Owens, Dukeling, gnat, Twyxz, gazzz0x2z

If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.

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  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  What "most recent" means seems like an English language question, so probably off topic for here. If it could mean either current or former, we wouldn't be able to conclusively say what they're looking for.
  – Dukeling
  Sep 15 at 13:01
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @Dukeling This question is not off-topic according to the help. what is generally normal/standard in a particular country is considered on topic. The question does not ask for legal advice and does not address policies of only a specific company.
  – WetlabStudent
  32 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
1
down vote

favorite

I was recently applying for a job in Australia, and it said

It is a requirement that your most recent supervisor is nominated as
one of your referees. Nominated referees may be contacted at any time
during the recruitment and selection process.

I don't want my current employer to know that I am applying for jobs elsewhere. Is this requirement even legal?

Could most recent supervisor possibly be interpreted as the most recent supervisor that you are not currently working for?

job-search applications australia

share|improve this question

edited 36 mins ago

asked Sep 15 at 12:25

WetlabStudent

1679

closed as off-topic by Thomas Owens, Dukeling, gnat, Twyxz, gazzz0x2z Sep 17 at 9:53

This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:

• "Questions seeking advice on company-specific regulations, agreements, or policies should be directed to your manager or HR department. Questions that address only a specific company or position are of limited use to future visitors. Questions seeking legal advice should be directed to legal professionals. For more information, click here." – Thomas Owens, Dukeling, gnat, Twyxz, gazzz0x2z

If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  What "most recent" means seems like an English language question, so probably off topic for here. If it could mean either current or former, we wouldn't be able to conclusively say what they're looking for.
  – Dukeling
  Sep 15 at 13:01
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @Dukeling This question is not off-topic according to the help. what is generally normal/standard in a particular country is considered on topic. The question does not ask for legal advice and does not address policies of only a specific company.
  – WetlabStudent
  32 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

up vote
1
down vote

favorite

up vote
1
down vote

favorite

I was recently applying for a job in Australia, and it said

It is a requirement that your most recent supervisor is nominated as
one of your referees. Nominated referees may be contacted at any time
during the recruitment and selection process.

I don't want my current employer to know that I am applying for jobs elsewhere. Is this requirement even legal?

Could most recent supervisor possibly be interpreted as the most recent supervisor that you are not currently working for?

job-search applications australia

share|improve this question

edited 36 mins ago

asked Sep 15 at 12:25

WetlabStudent

1679

I was recently applying for a job in Australia, and it said

It is a requirement that your most recent supervisor is nominated as
one of your referees. Nominated referees may be contacted at any time
during the recruitment and selection process.

I don't want my current employer to know that I am applying for jobs elsewhere. Is this requirement even legal?

Could most recent supervisor possibly be interpreted as the most recent supervisor that you are not currently working for?

job-search applications australia

job-search applications australia

share|improve this question

edited 36 mins ago

asked Sep 15 at 12:25

WetlabStudent

1679

share|improve this question

edited 36 mins ago

asked Sep 15 at 12:25

WetlabStudent

1679

share|improve this question

share|improve this question

edited 36 mins ago

edited 36 mins ago

edited 36 mins ago

asked Sep 15 at 12:25

WetlabStudent

1679

asked Sep 15 at 12:25

WetlabStudent

1679

asked Sep 15 at 12:25

WetlabStudent

1679

1679

closed as off-topic by Thomas Owens, Dukeling, gnat, Twyxz, gazzz0x2z Sep 17 at 9:53

This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:

• "Questions seeking advice on company-specific regulations, agreements, or policies should be directed to your manager or HR department. Questions that address only a specific company or position are of limited use to future visitors. Questions seeking legal advice should be directed to legal professionals. For more information, click here." – Thomas Owens, Dukeling, gnat, Twyxz, gazzz0x2z

If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.

closed as off-topic by Thomas Owens, Dukeling, gnat, Twyxz, gazzz0x2z Sep 17 at 9:53

This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:

• "Questions seeking advice on company-specific regulations, agreements, or policies should be directed to your manager or HR department. Questions that address only a specific company or position are of limited use to future visitors. Questions seeking legal advice should be directed to legal professionals. For more information, click here." – Thomas Owens, Dukeling, gnat, Twyxz, gazzz0x2z

If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  What "most recent" means seems like an English language question, so probably off topic for here. If it could mean either current or former, we wouldn't be able to conclusively say what they're looking for.
  – Dukeling
  Sep 15 at 13:01
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @Dukeling This question is not off-topic according to the help. what is generally normal/standard in a particular country is considered on topic. The question does not ask for legal advice and does not address policies of only a specific company.
  – WetlabStudent
  32 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  What "most recent" means seems like an English language question, so probably off topic for here. If it could mean either current or former, we wouldn't be able to conclusively say what they're looking for.
  – Dukeling
  Sep 15 at 13:01
  
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  @Dukeling This question is not off-topic according to the help. what is generally normal/standard in a particular country is considered on topic. The question does not ask for legal advice and does not address policies of only a specific company.
  – WetlabStudent
  32 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  

1

1

What "most recent" means seems like an English language question, so probably off topic for here. If it could mean either current or former, we wouldn't be able to conclusively say what they're looking for.
– Dukeling
Sep 15 at 13:01

What "most recent" means seems like an English language question, so probably off topic for here. If it could mean either current or former, we wouldn't be able to conclusively say what they're looking for.
– Dukeling
Sep 15 at 13:01

@Dukeling This question is not off-topic according to the help. what is generally normal/standard in a particular country is considered on topic. The question does not ask for legal advice and does not address policies of only a specific company.
– WetlabStudent
32 mins ago

@Dukeling This question is not off-topic according to the help. what is generally normal/standard in a particular country is considered on topic. The question does not ask for legal advice and does not address policies of only a specific company.
– WetlabStudent
32 mins ago

add a comment | 

3 Answers
3

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oldest

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up vote
5
down vote

I'm not aware of any reason why it would be illegal (though I'm unfamiliar with Australian law), but there's also no reason why you have to play ball.

I would call them, explain that you're unwilling to use your current supervisor and offer a number of others as potential referees. If they still don't want to budge, then just walk away - that could just be the start of a whole string of unreasonable demands.

share|improve this answer

answered Sep 15 at 12:49

berry120

7,2783830

add a comment | 

up vote
3
down vote

Could most recent supervisor possibly be interpreted as the most recent supervisor that you are not currently working for?

Yes, you're free to interpret it any way you want, and it's not very important at this stage, it's just the application.

share|improve this answer

answered Sep 15 at 13:21

Kilisi

99k55225389

add a comment | 

up vote
0
down vote

Interpretation—-I don’t see how that could be read as asking for your previous supervisor.

Legal—-If Australia is like the US they can ask for any reference they want, whether they will get it or not is another matter.

While it is not uncommon to get a reference from a current supervisor, it is also not uncommon for there to be difficulties with doing so. A company demanding current supervisor is IMO being unreasonable.

Given that this is a job you haven’t even applied for, I would suggest just ignoring it and not applying. Let them suffer the consequences of such an unreasonable demand.

share|improve this answer

edited Sep 15 at 22:11

answered Sep 15 at 12:46

jmoreno

7,9551840

add a comment | 

3 Answers
3

active

oldest

votes

3 Answers
3

active

oldest

votes

active

oldest

votes

active

oldest

votes

up vote
5
down vote

I'm not aware of any reason why it would be illegal (though I'm unfamiliar with Australian law), but there's also no reason why you have to play ball.

I would call them, explain that you're unwilling to use your current supervisor and offer a number of others as potential referees. If they still don't want to budge, then just walk away - that could just be the start of a whole string of unreasonable demands.

share|improve this answer

answered Sep 15 at 12:49

berry120

7,2783830

add a comment | 

up vote
5
down vote

I'm not aware of any reason why it would be illegal (though I'm unfamiliar with Australian law), but there's also no reason why you have to play ball.

I would call them, explain that you're unwilling to use your current supervisor and offer a number of others as potential referees. If they still don't want to budge, then just walk away - that could just be the start of a whole string of unreasonable demands.

share|improve this answer

answered Sep 15 at 12:49

berry120

7,2783830

add a comment | 

up vote
5
down vote

up vote
5
down vote

I'm not aware of any reason why it would be illegal (though I'm unfamiliar with Australian law), but there's also no reason why you have to play ball.

I would call them, explain that you're unwilling to use your current supervisor and offer a number of others as potential referees. If they still don't want to budge, then just walk away - that could just be the start of a whole string of unreasonable demands.

share|improve this answer

answered Sep 15 at 12:49

berry120

7,2783830

I'm not aware of any reason why it would be illegal (though I'm unfamiliar with Australian law), but there's also no reason why you have to play ball.

I would call them, explain that you're unwilling to use your current supervisor and offer a number of others as potential referees. If they still don't want to budge, then just walk away - that could just be the start of a whole string of unreasonable demands.

share|improve this answer

answered Sep 15 at 12:49

berry120

7,2783830

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

answered Sep 15 at 12:49

berry120

7,2783830

answered Sep 15 at 12:49

berry120

7,2783830

answered Sep 15 at 12:49

berry120

7,2783830

7,2783830

add a comment | 

add a comment | 

up vote
3
down vote

Could most recent supervisor possibly be interpreted as the most recent supervisor that you are not currently working for?

Yes, you're free to interpret it any way you want, and it's not very important at this stage, it's just the application.

share|improve this answer

answered Sep 15 at 13:21

Kilisi

99k55225389

add a comment | 

up vote
3
down vote

Could most recent supervisor possibly be interpreted as the most recent supervisor that you are not currently working for?

Yes, you're free to interpret it any way you want, and it's not very important at this stage, it's just the application.

share|improve this answer

answered Sep 15 at 13:21

Kilisi

99k55225389

add a comment | 

up vote
3
down vote

up vote
3
down vote

Could most recent supervisor possibly be interpreted as the most recent supervisor that you are not currently working for?

Yes, you're free to interpret it any way you want, and it's not very important at this stage, it's just the application.

share|improve this answer

answered Sep 15 at 13:21

Kilisi

99k55225389

Could most recent supervisor possibly be interpreted as the most recent supervisor that you are not currently working for?

Yes, you're free to interpret it any way you want, and it's not very important at this stage, it's just the application.

share|improve this answer

answered Sep 15 at 13:21

Kilisi

99k55225389

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

answered Sep 15 at 13:21

Kilisi

99k55225389

answered Sep 15 at 13:21

Kilisi

99k55225389

answered Sep 15 at 13:21

Kilisi

99k55225389

99k55225389

add a comment | 

add a comment | 

up vote
0
down vote

Interpretation—-I don’t see how that could be read as asking for your previous supervisor.

Legal—-If Australia is like the US they can ask for any reference they want, whether they will get it or not is another matter.

While it is not uncommon to get a reference from a current supervisor, it is also not uncommon for there to be difficulties with doing so. A company demanding current supervisor is IMO being unreasonable.

Given that this is a job you haven’t even applied for, I would suggest just ignoring it and not applying. Let them suffer the consequences of such an unreasonable demand.

share|improve this answer

edited Sep 15 at 22:11

answered Sep 15 at 12:46

jmoreno

7,9551840

add a comment | 

up vote
0
down vote

Interpretation—-I don’t see how that could be read as asking for your previous supervisor.

Legal—-If Australia is like the US they can ask for any reference they want, whether they will get it or not is another matter.

While it is not uncommon to get a reference from a current supervisor, it is also not uncommon for there to be difficulties with doing so. A company demanding current supervisor is IMO being unreasonable.

Given that this is a job you haven’t even applied for, I would suggest just ignoring it and not applying. Let them suffer the consequences of such an unreasonable demand.

share|improve this answer

edited Sep 15 at 22:11

answered Sep 15 at 12:46

jmoreno

7,9551840

add a comment | 

up vote
0
down vote

up vote
0
down vote

Interpretation—-I don’t see how that could be read as asking for your previous supervisor.

Legal—-If Australia is like the US they can ask for any reference they want, whether they will get it or not is another matter.

While it is not uncommon to get a reference from a current supervisor, it is also not uncommon for there to be difficulties with doing so. A company demanding current supervisor is IMO being unreasonable.

Given that this is a job you haven’t even applied for, I would suggest just ignoring it and not applying. Let them suffer the consequences of such an unreasonable demand.

share|improve this answer

edited Sep 15 at 22:11

answered Sep 15 at 12:46

jmoreno

7,9551840

Interpretation—-I don’t see how that could be read as asking for your previous supervisor.

Legal—-If Australia is like the US they can ask for any reference they want, whether they will get it or not is another matter.

While it is not uncommon to get a reference from a current supervisor, it is also not uncommon for there to be difficulties with doing so. A company demanding current supervisor is IMO being unreasonable.

Given that this is a job you haven’t even applied for, I would suggest just ignoring it and not applying. Let them suffer the consequences of such an unreasonable demand.

share|improve this answer

edited Sep 15 at 22:11

answered Sep 15 at 12:46

jmoreno

7,9551840

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

edited Sep 15 at 22:11

edited Sep 15 at 22:11

edited Sep 15 at 22:11

answered Sep 15 at 12:46

jmoreno

7,9551840

answered Sep 15 at 12:46

jmoreno

7,9551840

answered Sep 15 at 12:46

jmoreno

7,9551840

7,9551840

add a comment | 

add a comment |