I've never said "yes" to that. Typically, it's "may we contact this employer?" and I'm fine with all but the current one. And it's pretty obvious why that is. Most of the time, you're leaving on your own accord and have no intention of letting your employer know until you have a written offer in hand. There are obviously exceptions (moving, retiring, maybe a layoff, etc.). I would say the answer to that question is overwhelmingly "no". So it's not like you are bucking the trend. I've never really felt it has negatively impacted me. And to be honest, even if it has, I'd say it worked out in the long run as I'm not sure I'd want to work for someone that would hold that against me...

I wouldn't want to work for a company who would not/could not respect that I do not want my current employer contacted while I am still employed.

HR would ask that and make the contact where I work. As the hiring manager I wouldn’t know if they refused. It wouldn’t be asked until I made a job offer and HR started to check references. The only time I got something negative back from it was relayed to me by HR, that the person had some issues with attention to detail. I hired her anyway but warmed with that was able to keep tabs and help her improve in that area. In fact, just 2 years later I am hiring for that position again, she has been promoted to another department.

It has ALWAYS been a known fact that you do NOT let them contact your current employer. The only way I would do that is if my current employer knew I was looking because they are going to be closing the company/moving. They can talk to our references from previous positions. Or hey, here's a random thought - just base hiring me on what you see in front of you and if we have a good rapport!

I always tell them not to contact my current employer. The hiring company should have the courtesy and knowledge why this request is made and to adhere to it.

I always answer no to that. you don't want to be out of a job if they decide to call.

You should always say no. Saying yes can potentially help, but more likely to hurt. Anyone with some common sense will say no. If they're already extending the job offer and want to verify with your current employer that you actually work there, you should probably let them check references with HR, but it's really up to you. I do think whether or not you're working where you say you are is a valid concern for the prospective employer

I give that question a big fat "NO" unless they are providing a job offer.

Remember that employers hype "passive candidates" into the stratosphere, falsely stereotyping them as "hey, you still got a job, you must be good at what you're doing, unlike those utter losers who are out of work" So, if they see you're currently employed, they're more likely to understand you don't want your current employer to know. They don't want to "lose top talent" by blabbing to their current employer.

I always answered "Yes" and supplied them with my supervisor's names and phone numbers. I had nothing to hide. Plus I always felt that they did not check. Plus I thought, if I answered "No", that they would have felt I was hiding something.

Oh, I think you absolutely right said “no” to such a question. I believe they probably want to get some recommendations, but they should understand your disinclination to inform your current employer about your job seeking.

I would never let them contact my current employer. If I'm looking, it's likely for a reason, even though that reason may have nothing to do with anything that my current employer does or doesn't do. For instance, I'm single with no kids, but if I were to get married and wanted to start a family, I wouldn't want to raise my kids here for various reasons. That has nothing to do with my boss, employer, job, etc. - it's a personal choice, but I wouldn't want my employer knowing about this.

Although, I heard from an HR friend that most times they will give a tentative offer first before contacting your current employee. Again, it's not something you can hang your hat on, so better to be safe, but I got the sense that most HR aren't going to burn you and contact your current employer if you are not going to get an offer. That would burn your bridges easily if they are going to blow your spot (without you even being a top consideration for the job). I guess it's best to play it safe though.