HR told my boss I am looking for another job?

Recently I spoke with my company's HR department about it's reference policy. In strict confidence, they asked me if I was looking and gave me some pointers on what to do in regards to references. Recently I was pulled aside by my supervisor who informed me that HR had told my boss that I was actively looking for another job. My supervisor tried to defend HR, but I was under the understanding that HR was to keep this information under strict confidence. I am looking for an unbiased opinion as I'm not sure if this proper practice between HR and upper management. I feel like I've been put in a bad position as I'm sure management feels a bit uneasy about my position. Thanks everyone!
HR told my boss I am looking for another job?
WHOA...They did what! I know that HR individuals, look at the good for the company, but in my experience and my opinion, I would not have done that. I would have advise you, the employee to notify your supervisor that you are expressing interest outside the company but by no mean will it effect your performance at work. As an HR person, I would keep it on tab. Others may not agree with me and that is fine. I take HR to the next level... to the Gen X level where by the book is not necessarily the right way of handling things all the time.





My suggestion to you is to sit down if you have not yet with your supervisor and express you thought and ideas and goals. It may be that you're not challenged enough there and they do not realize it. Now that is if you are happy with your current employer. Or fess up and tell them that you would like to venture out and that you have learned all that you can here.





Good Luck
Reply:I agree, your HR rep should not have told you that it was in "strict confidence" and then have told your boss, however, it is the HR person's responsibility to look out for the best interest of the company AND the employees. I believe that the one who should be reprimanded is the supervisor. He/she has a big ole mouth and was probably told in confidence and went off and blabbed it. In any event, it's a tough situation but your supervisor made it even tougher.
Reply:HR should not have told your boss, but I ran in to the same thing a few years back with a former employer.
Reply:If you didn't want your boss to know I wouldn't have told anyone at my work. I don't care if they did say in strict confidence people lie. Words are just words. It's tough because if you don't get that other job now they will look for little reasons or make one up to fire you. Maybe or maybe not. I believe HR works directly with upper management but i don't know for sure. Good luck.