Past employer is jeopardizing job opportunities
I need to keep this as anon as possible but I was let go from my previous job in IB. HR has been really cool with me in terms of helping me get a new job. They’ve allowed me to write that I’m still present at the company (didn’t do this), and extend my employment dates by including my severance package. Overall they were really cool with it.
My former VP has been helpful as well, but unfortunately other members at the company were not so helpful. Basically I was let go during a layoff and I was essentially fucked over. They knew they fucked up which is why they’ve helped me out with the dates of my employment. I signed off on my severance because I didn’t want to hurt my reputation in the space by suing since it’s a small industry but I was just told that my former employer fucked me over in an under the table reference.
HR confirmed with me that they wouldn’t tell them “why I was let go” or any details of my employment. I was told by the company I was recruiting for that they told them details, and despite performing well in the process they decided to go with someone else. Them choosing to contact my company without my consent is another matter, but I am happy because they told me because I never would’ve known. what can I do about my former company here?
Get a lawyer to send out a letter warning against defamation. That’s a quick fix
That seems aggressive
Wtf man? What else do you want us to say? This will be a sure solution. Your company shouldn’t have done this. I’d make sure to find out who ratted you out and send them the letter. You could go a lot further, and HR knows this. Send the letter.
Also, move cities. You won’t be able to escape your reputation unless you move. Industry is too small and being in a regional city only makes the issue worse. All it takes is one phone call, as you already know.
Don’t let this bog you down.
Feel free to PM.
Telling me to move cities is obviously bogging me down man ngl. It’s been a brutal recruitment cycle and having this just adds a cherry on top of the issue. It doesn’t help that my country is tiny for this industry and it’s just super small.
Any other ideas? Can’t name my city because the industry is tiny here
That sucks man. I've faced something similar as well recently but managed to overcome it, albeit my situation was different and allowed me to play it smart and get away from it. My take: Moving cities should be last resort. Until then, send the letter. Protect yourself. Ideally find out who screwed you over and name them in the letter. Not sure how'd that play out legally (if this progresses further) but it just might be the solution you need atm. Also, don't know how things work where you're based, but check if this is something you can raise with the relevant regulatory body.
Things have calmed down a bit. I ended up speaking to one of the users in this thread and made a cognizant decision to switch coverage industries entirely. A hard reset. Just a start over. I sent the letter in as a reminder and documentation of the whole thing to protect myself. The whole thing was incredibly embarrassing to say the least but I’m done with that coverage group.
Just some insight:
• Defamation requires a statement to be untrue.
If reasonably true, or stated as an opinion, then it's legally not defamation, and there is nothing you can really do in that direction.
(Some aspects vary slightly from state to state, but that is effectively the basis of a defamation claim).
• Disclosure (likely) would not be prohibited unless there was an NDA clause that protected against disclosure, or against disparagement.
Without such a clause existing, and without it having been violated; there isn't really anything that can be done in that direction (unless there is some other protection that's not coming to mind right now).
• HR might not have been who disclosed it to the other side. Often, seniors, leadership, etc, at other banks/firms will tend to know someone at the other bank/firm. Many worked together before, or might be on friendly terms otherwise, and might even be in a group chat or something else informal (nothing that would violate compliance, but perhaps casual gossip/chatter at times). It could have been something as simple as someone asking, "Hey Chad, got an app here from Candidate over there; what's the situation, and what do you think of him?"
It might not have been intended maliciously, or even aware that someone in your HR agreed not to say anything.
Yes, it is quite sh*tty.
However, it might not be prohibited, unfortunately.
• Before you decide to unleash legal threats and harsh letters, keep in mind that it might make a lot of things worse, in some cases.
• People have suggested moving cities... That would be an extreme step, and might not be necessary. (Unless it's something scandalous, or tabloid worthy, it's not likely the sort of thing that might require that extreme step). Before jumping to another city, and spending available resources, make sure it's really necessary, or that you find something elsewhere that justifies the move. Don't necessarily move, just for the sake of moving.
• I get it, the situation might feel embarrassing, and reputation absolutely matters (I'm huge on reputation, honor, and all that, so I understand a bit).
Keep in mind that your reputation might not be necessarily damaged, and depending on the situation, it could have been momentary, other people might not care, or they might not hear anything. A lot of possibilities.
Keep applying, locally and elsewhere, and do your best, and I hope all goes well.
Good luck!
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