Former employer screwed me

[Gary Allan]

Originally Posted By: Trajan
Originally Posted By: Gary Allan

Employment laws are pretty strict. Most can't do more than enumerate.


I remember when hirirng people, their employers would never give more than "Yes, they worked from... to....". The frustrating part was that the people I answered to wanted more.


That's when you hire a company to do a thorough background check. When I worked AS A GAS JOCKEY for Exxon USA in 1976 ..my parents, who were still living in NuWingland, had a neighbor tell them that a guy STOPPED BY (not called) and asked what kinda people they were.

It was, on the surface anyway, as detailed as the GE space center was for one of our tenants when she applied for an upgrade in security.

 

[fdcg27]

I am not suggesting that any threats should be made, and it doesn't have to happen at the workplace.
The word "confront" need not mean either violence or the threat of it. To merely detail what you know to the other party is to confront them, and it is hard to imagine what basis there would be for police involvement, if you can maintain your cool.
It needn't even be face to face.
A well written email would probably do.
What I am suggesting is that if one is aware that he is being spoken of badly, the only real remedy is to let the malafactor know that you are aware of the game.
This will likely end the game.
All of this talk of legal remedies is fine, but a lawsuit against a former employer is also a bit of a scarlet letter when seeking a new job, as well as being a very costly pursuit.
Also, unless you can get either written or electronic documentation showing that the former employer has spread falsehoods, you don't have a snowball's chance in hades of prevailing.
What a lawyer can do for you that may help is to send the former employer a nicely drafted letter of implied threat of action, to the employee in question at the former employer, copying someone far enough up the food chain to get results beyond a mere ride through the shredder.
A full-blown lawsuit would be an expensive exercise in futility, bearing in mind that the former employer has resources exceeding yours, and may even file a counter claim, which could get seriously expensive for anyone.

 

[Dave Hess]

rat,

what type of job are you applying for ?

 

[Papa Bear]

Originally Posted By: rat
So I've been trying to get hired into this big company for many years now. I've been close a few times, but they always change their mind at the last minute. I finally found out yesterday that they recieved an "unfavorable" reference from a former employer. I know exactly who it is, but they won't give me any more info as far as what was said. How can I find out?


Some things that I said/did on previous jobs did come back to haunt me later. Could this be the case ??

 

[Dave Hess]

fdgc27,

Great post, but what happens if this person has a personal vendetta against Rat and thinks it cute to keep trashing him ?

Like you said in your post...... "Also, unless you can get either written or electronic documentation showing that the former employer has spread falsehoods, you don't have a snowball's chance in hades of prevailing." I agree with that 100%.

My oldest sister an attorney (is also a Florida Supreme Court certified circuit civil mediator) and she would probably also tell him he has zero chance to sue his former employer.

 

[dishdude]

The odd thing is, I have had people call and check employment history, etc.

As long as they are out of my organization, I really don't care what they do! I wish them the best...and glad I don't have to deal with them anymore. If it is a competitor and the guy was that bad, they get a glowing review!

 

[rat]

Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
rat,

what type of job are you applying for ?


I have applied for numerous positions in this company over the years. This is the largest and highest paying employer within many miles of me. They produce baby food such as similac at this company.

 

[fdcg27]

This person likely does have a personal problem with Rat.
Rat should first confront the individual, and if it continues, send a polite and direct email, and copy the individual's boss and boss's boss.
If it is a personal problem, someone somewhere up the food chain will put a stop to it, since there is a possibility of monetary liability for the former employer.
Most bosses will not support an employee in pursuit of a personal vendetta.

 

[Dave Hess]

Of course laws vary from state to state..... but next time I talk to my sister I will cut and paste this web link and ask her to read it. Labor Law is one of the various areas she practices in.

I hope Rat is eventually hired by this company but it seems like a person really wants to fix his wagon for good.

 

[Shannow]

Originally Posted By: dishdude
If it is a competitor and the guy was that bad, they get a glowing review!


You can go to jail down here for misrepresenting in such a manner.

 

[PandaBear]

If reference is absolutely necessary for any future job. Get a lawyer to send a polite letter to the former employer to tell them to tell the truth. Usually that's enough to tell them to be serious, for your next position.

Do you send it to the place you are declined the offer, they might think that you are trouble even if you are innocent. What's gone is gone, and once they make up their mind unless your former work place get busted for lying and HR got fired, they won't consider you anymore.

 

[bigmike]

A co-worker got stellar reviews every year for 18 years. They terminated her for no reason, other than they didn't seem willing for accommodate her disability.

A lawsuit came and she was out of work for 2 years.

Results:

She received 250k, retirement and health benefits (life insurance included), free tuition to go back to college, a career counselor, and her work computer.

She'd still rather be doing her old job. She enjoyed work, but sometimes the idiots prevail.

 

[Dave Hess]

http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2010-09...s-breast-cancer

It backfired agains this company.

 

[rat]

Well so far, I've tried on my own to find out from the HR lady at the company I was applying for exactly what was said, the name of the person that said it, and why I was never asked about it in any of my interviews or even a follow up call.
So far I have been blown off by her, her boss, and her bosses boss. I'm pretty sure that it was an accusation of theft from a dealership that I worked at years ago. I have the paper from the state when they did their investigation on my behalf, and an email from my manager at the time apologizing and saying that he knew I did nothing wrong and he was forced by the owner to fire me. (He was fired sometime later and moved far away). One thing that that the HR lady bosses boss did say that I was no longer considered for the job after that reference. Where do I go from here?