Defamation??

[tony1941]

I have just left my job ( I resigned) and am joining another company (working in a similar field) in about a week. I have just learned that my ex-boss spoke to someone at my new employer about 10 days ago and said "I owe you a pint for taking Tony off my hands". I have never got on woth this boss - mutual lack of respect - but I think he should not have said this sort of thing, even if it was meant as a joke (which I don't believe it was). What do you think I should do about it - if anything??

[mikey0118]

Assuming you have a reliable source, I wouldn't ignore this remark. Put an official complaint in writing to the boss of your ex-boss and make your feelings clear. You've got the new job, so there is nothing really to be achieved, but it's going to make your ex-boss look ridiculous.

In my last job, I provided feedback in writing. Perhaps this is something you could also do. Comment on how you struggled to have a professional relationship with this particular member of management.

[tony1941]

Thanks for the help. I wouldn't have expected to get anything (eg compensation), but Mikey has hit the nail on the head!! This ex-boss has lost two of my colleagues as well in the last year (he's now down to a staff of two, one of whom is hoping to follow me(!!) My source was actually one of my ex-colleagues (now with the firm I'm going to) who phoned me to tell me that the comment had been made to one of his section leaders. It's obvious that they are all talking about it - the feeling of going in the office on the first morning is very worrying. Totally confidence destroying.

[sue11]

Hi Tony, if your new company is professional, they should completely ignore anything that has been said to them verbally. It is only if it has been put in writing as a reference, that you should worry about it.
If you were so bad in your old job then why were you still employed by your old company? Why would your old boss put up with bad performance from you? Was he so weak that he could not deal with your 'poor performance' and the only way to get rid was for you to leave on your own basis? This whole situation only makes him look bad and shows him up as a weak boss.
You could try and take it further, either with your new company or your old, but it may just have the effect of looking like sour grapes with your old company and you looking like a trouble maker with your new one. Let your new company come to you, if they have any real concerns. This did happen to me with my last job. My old supervisor phoned up my new company and made an 'off the record' remark that they should not employ me as I was not trustworthy. My new company would not take it seriously unless he was prepared to put it in writing and as it was a complete lie, he could not do so of course! I ended up staying in my last job for 10 years, so I was not that untrustworthy!. I now own my own business and would not listen to any hearsay about my own employees.
Hope this helps, Sue

[frankief]

Hi Tony, why dont you grow up ? You sound like some teenage girl in the playground..Vickie Pollard..no but no but 'im gonna have him for defamation of character etc'
Its obvious that you have been poached by another firm and you now have a lot of resentment against your old manager..who thought that you were a ****** anyway! Watch out that the same thing doesnt happen at your new firm in six months time.
Anyway, best of luck with your career!