Previous Employer Refusing to Supply Employment Verification for Prospective Employer

[zxtastyxz]

My question involves labor and employment law for the state of: Georgia working for Federal Government.

I was recently terminated and promptly filed an EEO retaliation complaint. I retained a lawyer and currently awaiting a Mediation date. I decided to go back to an old employer to get my old job. The prospective employer contacted the previous employer requesting employment verification. The employer refused to give an employment verification saying "We will not release any information while there is an investigation ongoing".

I filed an EEO complaint so why would they insist to a future employer there is an investigation. I have applied for hundreds of jobs and if the previous employer is telling prospective employers this my chances for future employment is slim. I have also been told by unemployment they are waiting on information from the previous employer to decide on my case. I have yet to receive my vacation time payout being told by payroll I had a delayed separation which I did not.
It seems like a retaliation measure. I told the prospective employer everything about why I was fired. They don't have a problem with the reason I was fired and actually find it ridiculous.

What can prior employers say to prospective ones? Can they just not say anything? My employer won't even acknowledge I worked there. This just doesn’t seem right.

[jk]

What can prior employers say to prospective ones?

anything they want and as long as it is true, there is nothing illegal about it. You say they replied they do not give out information while there is an ongoing investigation. From what you said, there is an investigation. The fact there is an ongoing investigation makes their statement true.

an employer does not have to give out any information so yes, they can simply not say anything if they choose but they can also tell anybody anything about you as well.

[cbg]

If you submitted an EEO complaint I guarantee you there is an investigation going on.

[Betty3]

What can prior employers say to prospective ones? Can they just not say anything? My employer won't even acknowledge I worked there. This just doesn’t seem right.

Ga. employers are not required to give references.