What can your previous employer tell the employess as to why your were let go?
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What can your previous employer tell the employess as to why your were let go?
Also, what can your previous employer tell potential employers about you
during a reference check?
Asked on March 30, 2016 under Employment Labor Law, Illinois
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 8 years ago | Contributor
So long as what was said about you was the truth, there is no legal prohibition as to what your former employer can tell your co-workers as to why you were terminated. That is the case as long as doing so does not breach the terms of any applicable union agreement, employment contract, company policy or confidentiality agreement. If, however, what was disclosed about the reasons for your dismissal were not true, then you could have a cause of action for defamation. Also, your ex-employer must not have disclosed any medical conditon that may have been the cause for discharing you; that would be a violation of your rights under HIPPA.
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 8 years ago | Contributor
They can tell anything--to either employees or to potential employers--which is the truth, even if it is embarrassing or harmful to you, so long as they did not agree in a contract (e.g. a confidentiality or severance or separation agreement) to not disclose this. But in the absence of a contract, any employer may discuss or release the true facts about why an employee left or was let go.
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