Uh oh, prospective new employer contacted my current plant manager

[Megatomic]

I'll try to keep this as concise as possible. I have been interviewed for another position at another power plant, this one in New Jersey, and it went extremely well - they are offering me a job. On my application I checked DO NOT contact my current employer, I also stated this to the interviewer.

Today I found out that the prospective new employer contacted my current plant manager, told him I had been interviewed, and got a reference from him! My current job is not in jeopardy, I am being considered for a promotion as a matter of fact. But now he is understably nervous about proceeding.

But, I'm pissed (wife is furious) about the prospective new employer betraying me in this way. It bodes poorly for my future relationship with them as I have trust issues before I even work for them. Should I go with my gut instinct to let the job offer go or am I making too much out of this situation? My ears are open to any and all opinions on this.

 

[SmoochyTX]

Are you sure it was your prospective employer that contacted your current employer directly? Rather, no middle man involved who did it on behalf of your prospective employer?

 

[mooglemania85]

That blows, and was rather unprofessional on their part. However, leverage it to get more $$$ from your current job. Make the other plant in NJ pay mucho $$$ out the ass if they decide to hire you.

 

[Megatomic]

The PM told my lead that it was someone he knew there in management. The power industry is a tightly knit group, lots of networking. It's likely they were coworkers in the past.

Regardless, who does that? There was a huge chance that the contact could have torpedoed me at my current job, any fool would realize that. Seriously.

 

[Megatomic]

Originally posted by: mooglemania85
That blows, and was rather unprofessional on their part. However, leverage it to get more $$$ from your current job. Make the other plant in NJ pay mucho $$$ out the ass if they decide to hire you.

Another thing to keep in mind is that my lead went way out on a limb to tell me this stuff. He is my biggest advocate for the promotion (I would become his coworker) and I can absolutely not betray his trust, his job would be in bigger jeopardy than mine is. He's got a wife 8 months pregnant with twins, he can't lose his job. And he is my friend. I will not do or say anything that will compromise him.

 

[SmoochyTX]

Originally posted by: Megatomic
The PM told my lead that it was someone he knew there in management. The power industry is a tightly knit group, lots of networking. It's likely they were coworkers in the past.

Regardless, who does that? There was a huge chance that the contact could have torpedoed me at my current job, any fool would realize that. Seriously.

No matter the reason it was highly unprofessional. The reason I asked about a possible third party was because it could have been a mistake. But it doesn't seem to be a mistake in your case.

Now you just have to ask yourself, do you want to work for a company that doesn't listen to you? It will only get worse later. If I were you, I would use it for leverage with your current employer.

ETA - After your last response, it seems clear to me. Tell your PM (and friend) that you would still like to be considered for the promotion.

 

[biggestmuff]

Why don't you talk to everyone you've dealt with at the new company and explain to them what happened and that you are upset with them. Ask them why they didn't abide by your request. Let them know it's unprofessional, reflects poorly on them and that you're upset. Pretty simple.

 

[mooglemania85]

Originally posted by: SmoochyTX
Now you just have to ask yourself, do you want to work for a company that doesn't listen to you? It will only get worse later. If I were you, I would use it for leverage with your current employer.

Originally posted by: Megatomic
Another thing to keep in mind is that my lead went way out on a limb to tell me this stuff. He is my biggest advocate for the promotion (I would become his coworker) and I can absolutely not betray his trust, his job would be in bigger jeopardy than mine is. He's got a wife 8 months pregnant with twins, he can't lose his job. And he is my friend. I will not do or say anything that will compromise him.

Take the promotion then. Hopefully with more $$$ and whatever other perks you can negotiate.

 

[Megatomic]

Originally posted by: biggestmuff
Why don't you talk to everyone you've dealt with at the new company and explain to them what happened and that you are upset with them. Ask them why they didn't abide by your request. Let them know it's unprofessional, reflects poorly on them and that you're upset. Pretty simple.

That's what I'd like to do, but the same person could tell my PM that as well. Then my buddy would be up shit creek, he is the only other person who knows, it would be obvious that he passed along the confidential info.

 

[Megatomic]

A good thing: I am being interviewed for another position in Pennsylvania and I like that opportunity better. It's a more technical position with better hours, and we like PA more than NJ. Maybe that one will go "smoother".

 

[preslove]

Originally posted by: Megatomic
The PM told my lead that it was someone he knew there in management. The power industry is a tightly knit group, lots of networking. It's likely they were coworkers in the past.

Regardless, who does that? There was a huge chance that the contact could have torpedoed me at my current job, any fool would realize that. Seriously.

If word got out at the new company that you were picked, then someone other than human resources and the people who interviewed you could have contacted your current employer without knowing that you didn't want them contacted. The "don't contact current employer" stipulation is usually about formal contacts, not informal contacts.

 

[ViviTheMage]

maybe you'll get a raise and they will let you stay

 

[darkswordsman17]

Originally posted by: Megatomic
The PM told my lead that it was someone he knew there in management. The power industry is a tightly knit group, lots of networking. It's likely they were coworkers in the past.

Regardless, who does that? There was a huge chance that the contact could have torpedoed me at my current job, any fool would realize that. Seriously.

I wonder if they might have been hoping for that, thinking that if you were likely to be hurt at your current job because of it, and it would sway you to work for them. Stupid, yes, but I've heard of less intelligent thinking than that.

Could it be that the guy who contacted the person at your current job was doing it because they know each other well and it was kinda an off the record type thing? They might not have known that the person would tell you they had discussed it. This could work on the previous thought as well, that they didn't think you would find out they had contacted the current employer.

Just some thoughts, not saying they're likely or even plausible, but just something to consider. Any way, its pretty bad that they would contact even after you made a point of not doing it.

 

[Megatomic]

Well, the PM seemed to be worried about me leaving more than being angry about the interview. I'm the only real I&C tech on site and the plant needs lots of I&C love and care. I AM needed in a big way. That's a plus for me.

 

[Megatomic]

Originally posted by: darkswordsman17

Originally posted by: Megatomic
The PM told my lead that it was someone he knew there in management. The power industry is a tightly knit group, lots of networking. It's likely they were coworkers in the past.

Regardless, who does that? There was a huge chance that the contact could have torpedoed me at my current job, any fool would realize that. Seriously.

I wonder if they might have been hoping for that, thinking that if you were likely to be hurt at your current job because of it, and it would sway you to work for them. Stupid, yes, but I've heard of less intelligent thinking than that.

My wife wondered the same thing herself. To "nudge" me so to speak. :|