My Ex Employers are giving different stories?

Question

I was working for a company for about 2 months. During those 2 months, I really tried, and I helped out everyone in the office (ie drive up to 90 minutes to another town just to pick something up for their files!) According to them, they are letting me go because I was not progressing as fast as they need me to be, so I was like ok, I guess this is not the job for me. I applied with another job, and a good friend of mine happens to be the boss there. He told me that I was let go by the company because I refuse to do work and I was uncooperative! Whoa whoa whoa. I was never told that!!! I knew it was total b.s. because I worked my butt off in there and like I said I did what I was told to do unless I had client appointments that day! Now I am worried that if I try to apply for another job, they are going to tell the prospective employer the same thing and I wont get the job. What are the laws on how much info can previous employers can release about an ex employee. (I live in TX)

Answer 1

They are not allowed to tell why they let you go, that is illegal. They are only allowed to speak on your time at the job and your attendance. They are not allowed to tell someone who calls about you that you did not do the job you were asked or whatever. That is slander and it is illegal on many levels. If you don't get this new job, or the next one, talk to a lawyer if you can.