I am 17 years on the job and only called in sick for 2 days and I was phonecalled to tell me to bring a Dr's excuse. I rarely make mistakes and always in uniform, keep my equipment better than anyone else. My boss always finds time to write co-workers for negative tiny stuff but when he makes mistakes manager says that is ok because of his hard work which he doesn't even help us. The market shows that I am 15k underpaid and I mentioned to my general manager and he said that our company pays great to us, but I know he is lying. A co worker showed me his paycheck and I saw he makes almost $2 more than me and doesn't even do more than me, so I questioned my company and I was told that I could be suspended or even terminated for knowing that info.

I work for a wonderful company with an amazing supervisor. However, I work about an hour outside of town and have to make a daily commute. With the price of gas and numerous car repairs, (as carpooling is not an option for me) I began looking for another job. I made this decision with a heavy heart, as the only negative factors about this job were the daily wear and tear on my car and the gas money. This decision was also a difficult one for the fact that I've only been employed by this company for a year. I haven't told my supervisor or my co-workers of my decision, nor did they know I was looking for a different job.

I recently received a call back for an interview for another company, one that is located in the town I live in. My interview is next week and my chances are very good. If I am offered this job, I plan to give my two weeks notice at my current place of employment.

I have already listed my current supervisor as a reference with my resume. I'm hoping that if they do call her, the conversation will go something like, "Oh, I wasn't aware she was looking elsewhere but she has brought her expenses regarding the commute to my attention (more than once.) I would hate to lose her, but she is great, etc." However, I've never been in this situation before so I've been a little stressed out with what the outcome may be.

My questions are as follows:

-As stated earlier, I have already listed my current supervisor for a reference, as I have a done a great job with this company and the job I am interviewing for is in a similar line of work.. Should I let her know ahead of time (as in after the interview) that she may be called to give a reference for me? Or should I not say anything and allow my prospective employer to call her if they do, without giving her a head's up?

-At my interview next week, should I let them know that I haven't told my current employer that I've been looking for another job? Does that look bad?

-If my boss is contacted during this process, can I get in any trouble (e.g., getting fired, etc.) for any of this? I am a good employee (as told to me by my current supervisor) and have never been in any trouble at my work and would like to part on good terms with my boss.

I've gotten a bit anxious over this so any and all help is greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

Network, network, network. That’s the conventional advice to the unemployed. But in the worst job market in 26 years, sometimes, it’s the only method that works.

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