Background Check - Notifying Current Employer Question

Hi All,

I'm currently undergoing a background check for for a consultant job at one of the Big4.

All is well and good. However, my on-boarding assistant told me that I needed to confirm that I have given my notice to my current employer in order to complete the Current Employer Verification portion of the background check.

I found this very odd. In previous background checks, I've let the process complete in it's entirety prior to giving my two weeks notice (to be cautious). If I have to give my current employer notice that they'll be contacted about a background check, I either to have to lie about what it's for (of course they'll find out eventually) or put the cart before the horse and give my notice.

I have nothing to hide on my background check and I'm sure everything is good. But I find this protocol unusual and I don't like giving notice without full confirmation everything is good. Judging by previous employers not caring when I give my notice, I'm sure the background check company has other means on verifying my current employment.

Has anyone else experienced this, or have advice? Maybe I'm misinterpreting something or missing something here.