what are my rights?

Question

If I put in a two weeks notice with a job, but then told not to bother with the two week notice by the manager and just leave, so I did. But I hear through the grapevine a few weeks later that the job is spreading rumors that they fired me because of something I didnt do, but could threaten my future in that career,isnt that slander and what are my rights?

My career is teaching gymnastics, and the rumor that they spread was that I was mentally unstable and that I hurt a child. But this was ONLY after I left.

Answer 1

First of all what they did to you was illegal. It is called a wrongful termination and I sincerely hope you filed for unemployment benefits because you would certainly get it. Insofar as your job saying they fired you as long as this is not spread to your new place of employment it doesn't really matter what they say. You need to remember -- In order to have grounds for slander the speech has to be so destructive to your character that you are unable to secure future employment, forced to move out of town, etc.... There just angry that you left. Don't forget to file and this place will certainly fight the claim, but don't give up. When you get your investigator tell them this story and bam you automatically win the benefit. It may be a check for only 1 week, but that's some money that has to come out of there pocket.

Answer 2

I wouldn't worry about the rumors. I agree with the others on here that as long as it doesn't follow you to your next job, you'll be ok.

However, having worked in an industry where there is a lot of intellectual property, getting walked out the door as soon as you give two weeks notice is normal. I find it a bit silly and immature...like you didn't know you were going to give notice and you could steal anything you were going to anyway the day BEFORE you gave notice...but that is their policy. But, my understanding is that in my example, you still officially resigned AND you get the two weeks of pay as if you had worked.

In your case, it doesn't sound like they did that. If they fired you for resigning, then you might be entitled to unemployement. Try it.

Answer 3

No worries - you gave notice. It happens a lot. Unless they tell a future potential employer something that is not true - there is nothing you can do. One thing you can do is have a friend call them acting like they are checking a reference. That always works....you will get all the detail you need. Record the call if you can - then, if anything negative is said, you have the evidence....THEN you have rights.