Slander and Possible Discrimination

[Shado997]

My question involves defamation in the state of: MD

About six months ago, I put an application back in at a welding company where I had worked for several years when I was younger. I am a 32 year old female. About three weeks ago, they called and offered me a position. I went through the physicals and drug screening etc, and was just waiting for my background check to clear. The next Wednesday,they called me and verbally hired me. I was told to start the following Monday. The very next day, HR called back and said that due to something going on out in the plant, they couldn't bring anyone in right now. The next day, my aunt who works there as well, asked the plant manager what was going on and he stated that he couldn't hire me because something came up on my background check! I was furious. Not only was I not told this, but he should not be telling people that. So, I called HR and was assured that there was nothing on my background check but that they just couldn't hire right now. Then,a few days later, they hired and brought in six immigrant men and now they have a huge ad in the paper for welders! What is going on? If there is nothing on my background, why is the plant manager telling everyone that? And why was the job rescinded from me in the first place? Obviously, someone is not telling me the truth. I lost my unemployment because I was hired and therefore did not file my claim. This is a multi billion dollar company and I don't know where to start or what to do next, but I am humiliated and embarrassed by their actions against me, and by what the manager is telling my family that is not true. What can I do? Is this slander? Could this also be discrimination? Out of hundreds of employees, they have maybe five women working for them. If I have years of welding experience, and was verbally hired, can they rescind for no reason and then hire less qualified people? Do I have any rights here?

[Mr. Knowitall]

If I'm following, the manager reportedly made one nebulous statement about "something" on your background check, which was refuted by H.R. The only statement you describe was made to your mother, upon her inquiry, and you've not indicated that it caused any harm to your reputation. Are there additional facts we should know?

In terms of why they didn't hire you, there are many potential reasons. The workers they hired may cost less per hour. They may have better experience. Or it could be some other factor, or a combination of factors. You haven't yet shared anything that would establish gender discrimination, although if you believe that's a case that you can make you can consult a plaintiff-side employment lawyer about your options or make a complaint to the Missouri Commission on Human Rights.

Absent a contract of employment, an at-will employer can end your employment at any time.

[Conrad Hunter]

Your state might have a statute where you can demand to know what the source of the information was.

As suggested, you could file an employment discrimination complaint. If nothing else, you might find out what the bad information was and where it came from. And just perhaps they did discriminate on some unlawful basis and you might actually win the complaint.

All states protect employers giving out employment information from civil actions so that would not available.