Is there a law against job reference?

Question

OK this is kind of long so bare with me...

Alright, I applied for a job a couple days ago and he was nice enough to tell me...

Well I put in my app for this new job and I told him it would be okay to call my last job, (didn’t think they would say anything bad) Well, to find out, he told me that my last supervisor told him I was a, liar, didn’t stock the coolers, stood be hide the counter all day, didn’t do anything, I was lazy, left her hanging all the time, and tons of other things.. well the truth on that was, I trained all the employees that came in and out because she said I was the best, always came to work early, called off once the whole time I worked for them, filled in for other employees(sometimes working all day) stocked the store, did everything she ever told me to do, put up with her always being on the phone and having to do her job as well, and so much more.

Is there a law against that? I thought when someone calls for a reference on another job all they were allowed to say was I wouldn’t rehire her. And that was it...because of that she’s preventing me getting another job, and where I live jobs are limited. Can anyone find me a web site stating anything about this?

Answer 1

Your previous supervisor lied about you. Thats slander, and you could sue her, but its probably not worth it. You could have an attorney call her and tell her to stop saying false things about you.

But just use a different person for a reference. She's probably mad that you left.

Its not illegal to give a job reference. But its slander when you say bad and false things about someone.

Answer 2

You do not have to give the name of your Tutor as reference .. you can choose some-one else. NB. Your Degree result is not 'personal information' (sorry) = indeed, many Universities publish degree results in local newspapers .. and if the job you applied for requires a Degree as a pre-qualification, you can be sure they will check with the University that you do, in fact, have a degree ... There is no law on 'references' .. the normal law of libel / slander applies .. many big Companies may well refuse to give references (except for dates you worked there, your job title and your salary) for fear of possible legal action in the event you don't get the (new) job and then try to blame them ...

Answer 3

Many people think it is the law. However, there is no law against telling the truth. But when it is done with intent to prevent employment it becomes a legal issue and can cause the employee to "win" unemployment from the employer -- thus most employers don't.

Now in your case, where your employer lied to you, you can ask the "potential employer" who did not hire you to act as a witness in a suit against the former employer. You may, indeed, be able to file a suit for slander. While it is possible you won't win, the best thing you can do is to get a cease and desist letter to your current employer indicating that you will file suit.