Privacy Rights When Applying for Jobs?

Question

I recently applied for a position with another company. The direct hiring manager knew that my current employer was unaware of my search. I would have given notice of course. In any event, the Executive Director ran into our Chief Operating Officer at a conference and mentioned that I was applying for a position within their company. The position had not been formally offered to me and I had not yet authorized this new company to contact my current employer.

Is this not a violation of my privacy rights? Should this not be kept quiet until I give authorization to contact references and then, shouldn't only those that I list as references be contacted and/or HR Department?

I wanted to speak to my current supervisor once the position was formally offered to me BEFORE reference checks were done. This could have created a very bad situation for me, but luckily it did not.

In any event, I cannot help that my rights were violated. Am I correct or incorrect?

I also wanted to add that I had not yet authorized the potential employer to contact my current employer. Wherever I have applied, I have always had to sign a consent and release authorizing them to conduct the reference checks, but that may only be applicable to the world of non-profit.

Answer 1

It's poor business practice. But I don't think it's illegal.

And FYI - reference checks are frequently done before any formal offers are are extended.