My ex-employer, for reasons only known to him, has been giving bad referrals to potential employers about me. I'm a professional with two degrees but I can't gain emplyoment due to his negative comments. I've never had any disciplinary trouble and I got along good with my fellow employees but I chose to leave because I wanted to attend college. So I did. I didn't leave on bad terms, or so I thought, but this guy has it in for me. On job searches the potential employer is interested until they talk to him then they no longer want me. It's cost me three really job good prospects in the last year. I've tried contacting him but he won't speak to me. Are his actions legal? It's really starting to sting about now.
121827
I don't know if you can legally record a phone call without telling the other person in Arkansas or not, some states yes, some no.\nBut, I would have a friend call the guy and pretend he is thinking about hiring you and is calling for a reference and then record what the guy says about you.\nThen you can have a nice lawsuit against him.\nTake the tape to a good employment attorney and play it for him.
420963
If this had been a contract with the company, then you could have sued for breach of contract and they would no doubt have been glad to settle out of court.  The problem is, you were subcontracted and your agency was the employer. Just put it down to experience.  It won't show up on your cv and you wouldn't want to work for such horrible people anyway.
316415
Because potential employers want to know what type of person they are hiring.  True, just because one employer is not happy with your work does not mean no employer will be, but they want to know anyway.  What if the potential employee was fired for stealing?  Or being a threat to co-workers?  Employers have a right to know those things in advance, so they ask.
201439
It sounds like she was fired for insubordination. Regardless of whether your manager is mean, you are asking to get fired if you start cursing at them. The boyfriend had no business being on the property. They are trying to run a business, you know? She won't get re-hired for those reasons, not because her boyfriend, who shouldn't have been there in the first place, stepped in. And her chances of collecting unemployment are also poor should her employer dispute the application. If you mouth off at people you suffer the consequences.
164467
It's your age.  I had the same experience when I was your age.  Of course you already know it is unlawful for employers to inquire your age, but there are other ways they can figure this out.  Your resume is the main source.  What I learned was to take all dates out of my education.  Simply stating the institutions is enough.  Second, take out all job history that doesn't pertain to the occupation you are applying for.  Thirdly, take out employment dates.  Simply list duration of time worked at each job.  Input a sentence before work history that explains the list is from most recent back.  Good Luck.
266745
If a person is fired from one job it could have been a bad company. when that person loses their second job, he might want to try to ask, "Is it me?" When fired from the third and fourth jobs everyone should know that this guy is not the victim of evil employers, this guy is just a bad employee. Some people have proven to be, on the whole, bad citizens. When you say it about an employee you are making a fair assessment. By our modern standards however, if you say it about a citizen than you are an evil, ignorant, RACIST, bully.
270327
No, they are not allowed to give you a bad reference.However they can refuse to give you a reference at all, which in the eyes of a potential employer would be the equivalent of a very bad reference. Your sister is right, aren't they always?
427729
Theoretically, yes.  The previous employer can say whatever they want when someone calls for a reference as long as it is true.  However, they open themselves up to lawsuits if they do even if it is true and verifiable.  The fired employee can claim defamation of character and the old employer will be forced to go to court to support the claims it made.  Even if they can prove the claims, it is still up to the jury to decide guilty or not guilty.  Sometimes, juries do not listen to facts.  In any event, the prior employer will lose money to defend itself.\n\nIt is usually safer for old employers to not disclose exactly what happened directly but use a little subterfuge.  Such as when the prospective employer calls about a reference say "I am going to have to refer you to our legal department regarding this previous employee."  That says there is something very bad here, but not exactly what.  It lets the prospective employer know that the prior employment had problems.  Sometimes just saying flat out "I not give a reference for this employee." will get the message across.
508700
Whatever you do, do not blame your former employer for ANYTHING. That is a big turnoff to prospective employers. Simply say that you are looking for a different direction for your career and are seeking opportunities for advancement. Tell them that you like the kind of work for which you are applying, and are looking forward to making that your life's work. DON'T LIE ABOUT ANYTHING. good luck to you.
608806
What a jerk. Ignore him. If he persists then try to explain the meaning of the word harrassment. If he was a work colleague he would be facing dismissal for this behaviour (or you could sue the company for failing to protect you from his harrassment).\nDon't let him get you down.
177296
Every state has a .gov website.  Many employers will attempt to intimidate you due to their inherent belief that you are somewhat ignorant or you wouldn't be working for them or any one else barely making a living.  Others just want things to go as smoothly as possible while they make money.  If you are having problems keep a journal of sorts written proof of what you are saying goes a long way.  Write down exactly what happened, who was involved and what was said or done and the date and times.  If the problems become bad enough approach the state regulating body.  I have put the Maryland websites below that might offer some help.  If you are in doubt, don't hesistate to contact someone, they will forward you to the right person.  However if you are trying to blow the whistle and still keep you job or you don't want to make to many waves, call and do it annonymously as any complaint to the state will contain your name and then if your boss wants to they will make your life hell or find some "legit" reason to fire you.  You may just want to look for another job if you can so you don't have to worry about it though...\nGood luck
247131
No. I was loyal and honest and hard working for an employer for 10 1/2 years, and he fired me with NO notice and treated me like crap with absolutely no reason. i'm sure it was from bad politics and back stabbing.\n \nSo your 9 years of service was valuable and he doesn't like you quitting because you were good. That should make you feel good. Imagine if he said "good riddance!"\nUnfortunately for employees the good they do for their employers is always in the past, and no debts are owed on either side when they part company.\nIf it is a huge problem for them, for you to be gone on a weeks notice, then they weren't running their company properly, and it's not your fault. It'll do them good to learn that lesson.\nJust for future reference, you didn't have to tell your boss you were going to a competitor.
127588
Very nearly every company now follows one simple rule: "We will only confirm dates of employment." They dont' have to give any info about what you did or why you left or how much you made or anything.\n\n Why ? They have been told that saying more than that - positive or negative - could get them sued. (If they give someone an awesome recommendation, and that person ends up stealing or something from a future employer - that future employer will say that they based their decision in part on the recommendation). \n\nAnd, if you do get a bad recommendation, nobody is going to tell you - if you decide to sue your old boss, they will get sucked into the lawsuit - and they do not want that to happen. \n\nA boss is not at all prohibited from giving you a 'bad' recommendation. Their larger obligation is to give an honest recommendation. If somebody sucks - well, sorry, they suck. The boss might choose different words. \n\nIf you (or anybody) thinks that a lawsuit is the answer to anything and everything - it's not. You are looking at $ 5000 + to pay for a lawyer, and unless you have some amazing evidence, it will go nowhere. Even getting a chance at getting 'justice' will cost you an amazing amount of money. Bosses also collect little bits and pieces of bad stuff on you, in case they ever have to use it. Even if the boss lies and says you were awful (assuming that you were not awful), are any co-workers going to stand up for you and risk losing their jobs or getting pulled into the lawsuit themselves ? Nope. And, if they give you a bad recommendation, they may have stuff to back it up - you may not agree w it - but to someone who does not know either of you, it might be convincing. And, down the road, if someone does a little research on you while you are applying for a job w them, it's not too difficult to find out if you have sued someone or have been sued in the past. If it shows that you sued a previous employer - into the shredder goes your resume. Are you ever going to know that happened ? Nope.\n\nWhat happens if you call the local Dept of Labor in your city or state or any other of several advocacy groups ? Well, they only have so many people working there, and they are absolutely buried by complaints from people who feel that they have been treated unfairly. How many people who have lost a job have ever thought that they deserved to lose their job ? Then everybody starts giving them advice on how you 'can't let them get away w that.' Baloney.\n\nYour old boss also has a lot more experience in dealing w this kind of thing. You are looking at it for the first time - that is another big disadvantage you have.\n\nThat's the real world. It's not about what is fair. It's about knowing the rules of different games so that you can play them to your best advantage. \n\nTalking about the perfect world and your rights and all is just air - it's good for nothing. \n\nHow to overcome it - don't give up - "never never never give up" - Winston Churchill. \n\nIt's never about whether you get knocked down - you will - all that matters is whether or not you get back up. If you don't give up, you cannot fail.\n\nSorry that I don't have a nice tidy "the world is fair" answer for you - but this is the truth that comes from a lot of experience. The 'real world' and the 'perfect world' do not even know that the other one exists - they are that far apart.
159087
Most companies do not like that their employees have a second job or are going to school. They usually think that if the employee finds a second job or goes to school then that job is not considered a priority anymore and they will not be there much longer. You can either sit down with management and talk out the issue or go find another job. I would try to talk to them first if you really want to stay there.
90488
The Employer can not fire you for looking around... Unless you already have an offer pending from another work place and it is in the same kind of business as your current job. For Example.. If you work for a bank and you are applying for another bank job at a different place it will be conflict of interest and your work place may let you go as soon as they find out that you have an offer and you are nagotiating.. however if they fire you and they do not have proof of this you may apply for Unemployment... \n\nThis has happened to me.. My, new, now employer called for verification of employment at my old job.. the HR from my old job showed up at my office the next business day and gave me my exit interview... Well the new job was still pending and i had no definite answer i applied for unemployment and collected it for 3 weeks until i started the new job..\n\nGood luck..\n\nYou can also search for jobs and then fax or email the resume to the business you are interested in.. This way your resume is NOT online for anyone to look at..\n\nThx\nHope this helps
353964
It all depends on requirements of the position he was applying for.  He needs to request, in writing, a letter from the employer stating why the offer was rescinded.  You can also contact the Legal Aid Society and explain the situation to make sure that this employer is not discriminating.  I would not let this go - you should definitely follow up with Legal Aid.
382780
Wrong?? No.  Maybe looked a little foolish, though.  Hey I wouldn't count yourself out on this.  Wait until you hear back from him--you never know!!  Good luck!\n\nEDIT:\n\nYes, it was unprofessional.  As, someone who hires where I work, I would question your ability to make a decision.  But, if I was very impressed with your experience and skills I would probably give you a chance.