Can a potential employer contact your current employer without permission?

Yes, a potential employer can contact your current employer without permission. While there are no legal ramifications if a potential employer contacts your current employer without permission, this is not a likely scenario. Most potential employers do not contact current employers at any point throughout the hiring process.

Often, there are boxes on an application to check if you do not want the potential employer to contact your current employer. Companies generally respect that decision and do not contact the employer in question.