New employer contacted my current employer without my consent

I recently accepted an IB offer and then signed an authorization form for the background check to proceed. I stated to my new employer’s HR team that I will provide notice to my current employer once the background check and other onboarding steps have been completed, and everything is finalized. However, the new employer contacted my current employer’s HR team by email and asked for employer verification as part of the background check process. The background check authorization form I signed was attached to this email that was sent to my current employer. This placed me in an awkward spot as I did not get the opportunity to provide any notice to my current employer. I sent an email to my new employer’s HR team and told them that what they did is unfair to me and how this has placed me in a tough position. My current employer’s HR team emailed me asking me if I allow them to verify my employment. How should I respond to my current employer? Should I just say yes without providing any additional details or explanation? Also, do you still think I should still go work for this new employer after this happened? I would be moving from a corporate credit analyst position at my current company to a one year long investment banking analyst program at a fairly large multinational bank

20 Comments
 

What does EQ, as in emotional intelligence, have to do with anything? Just wondering because that didn’t make sense to me, and wanted to understand what you mean by that? Also, agreed pretty shit if you ask me

 

That's annoying and unprofessional, but I would still go forward with the offer. This is HR's fault and doesn't reflect on the team you'll actually be working with.

I think the approach you mentioned makes sense. Just tell your HR you consent without adding more context.

 

What exactly is the chain of events? As long as you have an offer letter and it's signed, your good to go my man. 

But honestly, congrats and welcome to investment banking. It's paradise.

Some recommended readings on the Industry

- DLJ Memo (DLJ Too Busy.pdf (wallstreetoasis.com)

- Goldman Working Conditions Survey (Goldman Sachs Junior Bankers Describe 'Inhumane' Conditions in Informal Survey (businessinsider.com))

- Moelis (Depressing Moelis & Co. Staffer Email | Wall Street Oasis)

 

CCI2

Well, I needed to sign it if I want to get the non-contingent offer. But even if this gave them legal authority, it is still a professional custom to not contact one's current employer. 

Not sure about your consent form, but I previously could tick a box so that they would not contact my current employer. Presume you had the same. You should have notified HR / the background check company beforehand if you thought it would be an issue

 

Remember that HR is usually just former hot sorority sluts. They just follow the procedures and processes for their role and that’s it. In this case, I doubt they had any bad intentions, rather than just arent used to thinking critically about their actions and the effects of them.

I wouldnt let this change your decision or anything. This is just HR’s fault, and not the actual team’s 

 

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