I recently passed the initial recruiter screening and a technical test for a promising role at a company. Just yesterday, I received an email from HR to schedule the final round of interviews, but they have a requirement that is making me uneasy. They want three professional references, and one of them has to be my current supervisor. I expressed my concerns about the risk of jeopardizing my current job by letting my boss know I'm looking for new opportunities. HR responded that this is standard procedure for them to verify active employment before moving forward. I can't help but feel that this is a risky move. Is it common practice for companies to contact current employers at this stage? It feels like a big gamble to agree to this, especially since I have no guarantee of getting the job. I'm seriously considering whether I should proceed with this opportunity or walk away.