Bad Recommendation

[Lurker52]

We have been applying for jobs and not getting call backs after they check our reference. Come to find out a previous campground has been bad mouthing us.

We fulfilled our commitment and left on good terms (we thought). I had a friend pose as an employer and found out they are telling lies about us. I don't get it. Why do people have to be like that? I deleted the place from our resume.

Has anybody else had this happen to them and what did you do.

[Lurker52]

Thanks for all the respones. We have moved on from this situation and have removed the park from are resume. It is just strange that when you do a good job and the manager tells you that and then you find out later they are speaking poorly about you it makes you wonder. We have chaulked it up to weird people, which they are.

[NorCal_Dan]

Did they provide a letter of recommendation when you left? I always ask before leaving a position for a letter of recommendation, and, if they are okay with me using them for a reference.

[bjcarpetguy]

First I know that most of us that workcamp do not have the ability to hire an ATTY. I went to one over the same thing years ago, and he said he would take the case for a large retainer. With that being said, I would want to know why?
In most states the only info that a previous employer can give is If or if not the
the employee is rehireable.
Any more than that they are opening themselves up to a law suit. But as I said above they know that most aren't going to persue it.

[deltamaster]

Lurker52 wrote:
I had a friend pose as an employer and found out they are telling lies about us.

I am no lawyer but I would think that would be grounds for a civil case considering and contingent on the fact that you could prove that those lies being told were preventing you from being hired elsewhere.

Those lies could be considered slander and if they were written then they could be considered libel.

If you could get some of the other places to admit the reason they did not hire you was as result of those lies then you could prove damage in that you were unable to attain a contract which was worth the equivalent of whatever the value of the package that you would have been offered had you been awarded the position.

At the very least you could have the judge file an injunction against the offender forbidding them to discuss you or your employment with anyone under penalty of fines or other punishment.

While it does help you that you no longer list them as references man of these operators talk among each other and your name could be passed around in conversation even though the discussion might have nothing to do with employment with anyone privy to the discussion. If what they are saying is bad enough it could stick in another operator's mind or they could note it and should you later seek employment the operator may remember what the other guy said in passing and refuse you the opportunity.

[RoadXYZ]

We were able to volunteer somewhere we wanted to go due to the fact that the Ranger looked upon those who are returning to some parks as an indication of good volunteers. Not sure this is an indication, but nonetheless am glad he told us that.

We will be looking at going again places we like in a different light now.

[westernrvparkow]

If they are telling lies, you need to hire an employment attorney, pronto. And not only do they need to be telling the truth, they need to be able to document any negative comments made. That is why most businesses no longer give references of any kind. About the only thing a business can get away with as a negative comment is the generic, "they are not eligible for rehire". False, negative comments about you is actionable when you can prove it damages you economically, and keeping you from getting a position surely qualifies.
BTW, like everyone else, sure are curious as to what they are saying. I wouldn't post who they were, because that might come back to bite you. Good Luck.

[Kirk]

Return their favor by telling everyone who the park is.....

[USA_Traveler]

Wow, I would have to know why they are saying those things about you. I know that I wouldn't want to volunteer or work there!

[jdog]

WyoTraveler wrote:
That goes a little beyond free speech. That is why companies are careful about rehire policies. If it were me I would contact an atty. have him write a letter to them. May be all that is needed to get their attention.Otherwise, I'd sue them for what they have said. Sorry. I won't give these types of people any slack. Who knows. Maybe you could be the new owners of that park.

Since they are lying, you have the right for componsation. It is your call because you lost work because of what they said. It is unfair labor practice!

[dieharder]

schlep1967 wrote:
Since you already took them off your resume why not give them a call? Maybe they are thinking of someone else that worked there and are confusing the names. At the very least you can find out what they percieved as wrongdoing by you.

x2. I'd certainly want to know why. Especially if you fulfilled your agreement and feel that you left on good terms.

[schlep1967]

Since you already took them off your resume why not give them a call? Maybe they are thinking of someone else that worked there and are confusing the names. At the very least you can find out what they percieved as wrongdoing by you.

[WyoTraveler]

That goes a little beyond free speech. That is why companies are careful about rehire policies. If it were me I would contact an atty. have him write a letter to them. May be all that is needed to get their attention.Otherwise, I'd sue them for what they have said. Sorry. I won't give these types of people any slack. Who knows. Maybe you could be the new owners of that park.

[gatorcq]

Just do not use them as a reference and move on.

Then use forums to inform people WHEN they ask about that location.

[byways]

Do yourself a favor and just move on. There are people like this everywhere--who denigrate others to elevate themselves. It's how they find significance. You did the right thing.