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View Full Version : My former emploer is saying "it just didn't work out)


steadyshot
05-27-2006, 11:06 PM
As a new college graduate in education my first and only job was as a contract sub teacher at a public charter school for MRDD students. I thought everything was great. From Sept to Nov I got called at least 2x a week. The last day I worked the principal told me how much she appreciated my dependability and my rapport with the students. Then the calls stopped.
I went in several times but the same principal avoided me. I realized the job went sour and no one wanted to say why. I updated my contact info in March with my new cell phone number and joked that I was still available whenever needed. No response.
Since then I have sent over 50 resumes as far as 2 states away. I got great interviews from 10 or 12 and then no calls and few form letters saying a more qualified applicant was selected.
Last week I had my daughter call for a work reference and she was told I hadn't been employed since Jan 3rd. Since I had updated my contact in march and not been informed of this I was alarmed. When asked who terminated the employment, me or the school, she was told the school terminated it. when asked why she was told "It just didn't work out" When pressed for details it was basically, no comment. The final question asked was would I be eligible for rehire the answer was "No".
I approached the principal with this and asked, very civilly, why it hadn't worked out. She said she didn't have time to talk to me and as far as she knew the school has never been contacted for a single work reference!!
What recourse do I have to get this straightened out?
When a school is asking for a reference in this litigious era "It just didn't work out" coupled with the discrepency in employment length screams stay away from this guy! It could mean anything from I didn't like him to he was suspected of molesting the kids! I don't blame a school for not hiring me with such a vague and ominous reference.
Meanwhile if I don't use them how do I explain a whole school year of doing nothing? If I do, how do I explain the sudden termination without a new job even if they stop the negative reference?
What I do know is Ohio is a very employer oriented stae with no employee bill of rights but we do have an employer's bill of rights!
Any suggestions?
:eek:

sausageguy
06-01-2006, 05:02 PM
First of all, sorry to hear about your luck. I am not really experienced in the job field as much as I should since I just got out of the military but I can try to offer you some advice. One thing that you may want to do if you haven't done so already is when you go in for interviews, explain to employer your situation and that you feel you wouldn't get a proper reference from the principal you had trouble with. I have seen that when people go in for interviews and not be really specific about the last job and why employment was terminated, the employer will find out, in your case, something so vague. When they do hear that, they will be wondering what else the individual is trying to hide. So the best thing I can tell you is explain your situation on your interviews. I hope this helps, good luck.

retcop
06-02-2006, 03:06 AM
Ask in writing for a copy of your personnel file. If this does not work have an attorney request it. This may answer some of your questions. And follow the first advice be honest in your interviews. If you keep getting blackballed do not be afraid to take legal action, get a labor law attorney and fight. :mad:

momatwork
06-09-2006, 02:10 PM
Work for yourself. Start your own business. Turn your situation to a positive one.