If your employer violates your rights, you can look at taking legal action against them. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) protects employees from retaliation.
But what about future potential employers? Can they deny you opportunities because you sued a former employer?
Here is what you should know:
It may be unlawful for them to do so
An employer should not reject an application because a candidate filed a claim against their former boss. Unfortunately, such cases have been reported. Thus, if you meet the required qualifications but were denied a job, the employer may have treated you unfairly because of the lawsuit, which they may have discovered after calling your employer.
It can be illegal for your former employer to disclose such confidential information. They should give a neutral reference or only confirm general information to avoid harming your future.
What to do when a potential employer unfairly treats you
If you believe a potential employer lacks a valid reason to deny you a position, and they are doing so because you opposed an unlawful employment practice in the past, you also might want to reconsider whether you really want to work for them. Treating potential hires in such a way might be indicative of how they treat those they employ. That does not mean you should necessarily just let their actions go though.
If a former employer retaliates against you or a prospective employer rejects your application because of a claim against your former boss, it may be time to learn more about your legal options.