What (specifically) can an former employer tell my potential employers?

Question

Terminated 3/7/2007 and after several applications, I've only received a couple interviews which looked like they were going in a positive direction only to take a dive after calling my references. Then my wife's co-worker frustrated with our situation called him posing as a potential employer from a minimum wage factory.

She asked, "Eligible for rehire?" He said, "Uhhhh. No."

"On time?" "No."

"Overall was he a good employee? Good work ethic?" "Oh no."

Then he says, "I've got to be going, but if you need anymore info, I can call you back." As if to offer information as to why I shouldn't be hired.

We ended on bad terms, but for the year that I was there, he kept telling me how much better of a job I was doing than the guy who used to be in charge.

I used to work as a cleaner/supervisor for a motor coach company that drives red buses out of Urbana, IL. Drivers say that since my wife and I were fired the coaches aren't half as clean as they were when we were there and the toilets don't get cleaned and serviced like they used to. This place can't keep good help and currently the guy who does what I did is supposedly and alcoholic. There has never been more than four people to work there at a time cleaning and I had to work varying shifts that made it hard to get more than four hours of sleep per night.

For example one time (happened pretty often) we went in at 12am cleaned a bus. Went home slept three hours got up cleaned a bunch more til 9am then were required to work until 5pm that afternoon.

Then as well as I supposedly did the job, the guy before me (a friend of mine) tells me he was paid 2 dollars more per hour than I got. I feel I was more than flexible, more than generous with my time and now I'm almost bitter that I can't prove that he's saying things about me. I've even written him a letter of reconciliation which he only said "thanks" for. I don't have the money to seek legal council and now that it's been so long, I would have a considerable time explaining why I've been unemployed so long if I left them off as an employer. I feel that I condemn myself if I tell employers they can't contact them. What can I do? Similar story?

Answer 1

As far as I know your ex-employer is only allowed to verify the dates you worked there and whether or not you are eligible for rehire. Your ex-employer is telling the potentials that you're not eligible. That is enough to steer most away without asking additional questions. As for being condemned by saying "no contact"...well..you are right about that. It's like that because the potential employer is going to wonder "why?".

You have 2 choices:

1) Leave the employer on the resume with a "no contact". ...and be prepared to explain why. This is won't be easy to explain but it will be easier than trying to explain a false employment gap.

2) Remove the employer from the resume. ..and be ready to explain a false employment gap. The employer is going to ask why you didn't work and what you did during that gap. ...and be ready to answer any questions about details. If any answer does not line up with your original explanation the employer automatically knows the whole story is a lie and will not proceed with the hiring process any further.

Answer 2

i would simply be honest about what went on there

or another thing you could do is not to put that job on your work history



your friend posing as a potential employer did ask the right questions any employer would have asked and yes  they probably was honest when they answered like they did who could function on 4 hours sleep and worked the hours like you was thats a working dog job sounds like

if you have any job that you left on good terms thats who i would have

your new potential employer call   again be honest especially about the hours but first i would ask what their hours are like where you want to put in the application

sounds like i wouldnt want to do that job i would leave in a week and  

not look back  no one could function like that unless they required little sleep

Answer 3

My story is somewhat similar. I taught in an urban elementary school as a first year teacher last year and thought I was leaving on good terms. My contract was temporary and I was laid off at the end. Like you, I was often complimented on how well I was doing and received the highest marks on my evaluations plus great recommendations from all who worked closely with me. I was encouraged to apply to the school district again, so I did. I got a lot of interviews and principals telling me they were impressed with me...but then after background checks, I wouldn't get the positions! Finally, one principal told me that she found out I was "non-reelected" and thought I should know.

I was stunned. Nobody ever told me this! On job applications in the teaching field, there is a question that asks if you have ever been non-reelected. All along, I have been checking "No." That means I have been lying unknowingly. Employers must think that I am trying to lie my way out of being fired...but I was only told that I was laid off!

I am going to be looking at your answers carefully...because how can it be ethical or even legal for a former employer to talk behind backs and prevent employment from people who are eager to contribute to society and make a living?! Even people in jail are granted employment sometimes. It's not like we are some lazy bums sitting around collecting unemployment. We are hard workers trying to find a job we are rightfully qualified for...but in one person's opinion, we are no good and can't work anywhere again...just because of ONE person and their undercover prejudice!!!!

Answer 4

They can say pretty much anything as long as it's true.