Dolphladie
New Member
On March 3rd, 2008 I applied for a position for a teacher at a daycare facility. I had my interview on March 4th and was offered the position on March 6th. I was going to be out of state for a few days and was to call them when I got back on March 11th to set up a time to start my employment. On my way home on March 11th I received a phone call from the girl that interviewed me stating that she would have to withdraw my offer of employment based on a "really bad" reference. I was FLOORED to say the least. I knew I was pushing my luck when I asked who it was from and what was said. She told me that should couldn't divulge that information. I then stated that it was illegal for a former employer to state anything other than if I worked for them, the dates of my employment, and if I was rehire-able or not. She then proceeded to tell me that it was not a former employer but one of my own personal references that I had listed on my resume. I was SHOCKED!! I said "you have got to be kidding me" and immediately started crying. She then told me that they told her I had a "problem with medication" but refused to tell me who it was. I immediately told her that yes, I am on medication for Fibromyalgia, and chronic back pain, but do not have a "problem" with medication and offered to take a drug test and offered her access to all my medical records. I also explained to her that they type of medication I am taking would not interfere with my care of children and could get verification from my doctor stating so. She said she would talk to her boss and get back to me. This was on March 11th and today is the 15th and I still have not heard back from her and I am sure I won't. I have been unemployed since October of 2007 and have almost completely exhausted all my employment leads in my town and am afraid I am going to have to resort to moving back to my home state to get a job. There were rumors going around my former workplace that I was addicted to narcotic painkillers. It was a very small office and I know who started that rumor and I do not speak to that person. She started that rumor after she found out I was prescribed them and asked me for some and I turned her down. Can I legally find out who it was that said this defaming and slanderous remark and cost me money and insurance benefits? I have used some of these references on past resumes and some only since October. I have posted my resume all over the Internet and have applied for jobs that I KNOW I should have gotten hired for and am wondering if this was the first time this had been said about me. I can't even get a job at a gas station, that is how bad this has become. This is costing me dearly, both financially and emotionally as it is preventing me from sleeping and has made me physically ill. I had to pull over on my way home and throw up I was so upset. I have in a round about way asked everyone on my reference list if they received a phone call and they have all denied it with the exception of my sister. What I said to them was that I got hired and wanted to thank everyone that gave me a reference. Their reply was that they didn't receive any type of phone call. I know they are lying, I just don't know who. My problem is I can pull my resume offline but the damage has already been done and I feel I have been black listed in this community. Not only do I want to know who it was so I can never use them for a reference again but to get them out of my life and never associate with them again. I have 7 people on my resume and only one is the culprit. I don't have many friends as it is and want to keep all I can but with a friend like this, who needs enemies? Can you please advise me as what to do?
Thank you
Tracy
Thank you
Tracy