Explaining when legally barred from discussing (employment, employer, job, career)

[akm4]

I spent a little under a year as an account executive (outside sales) for a healthcare company. I was recognized on regional and national levels and posted record-breaking numbers while there. I'm seeking a similar position, only to be iced out at the last possible moment.

Here's the thing- I was being sexually harassed by my sales director. The day after I told him I no longer wanted to be in a car with him, I was fired. Let's say, hypothetically, that a settlement was reached afterward. If this included a clause preventing me from disclosing anything about why I left the company, a hefty fine could be levied.

This leaves me with two problems-
1) How do I explain why I left?
2) How do I find out who's sabotaging me? (I suspect it's someone still at old branch, who remains friends with offender, who was fired.)

[joe from dayton]

Have someone to do a background check with your old employer and see what they say about you.

[akm4]

I thought about that, but it seemed ridiculous. Less so now, given the repeated 180s.

Will report back.

[akm4]

Well! Some problems solve themselves, or so it seems. The company has been bought out. I just spent 27 minutes trying to reach someone to verify my employment, to no avail.

Now I'm down to just the one challenge- how to explain why I left without exposing myself legally.

[bobsell]

You left to pursue new opportunities, as there was no further room for growth in your old role.

They're not going to push further.

[akm4]

Originally Posted by bobsell

You left to pursue new opportunities, as there was no further room for growth in your old role.

They're not going to push further.

That's exactly what i expected, but they ask why I would leave at the top of my game after less than a year? It seems everyone is connected somehow in the field. I made a name for myself, then disappeared. There was talk, and they want to know what happened.

Because of this connectivity, it wasn't unthinkable that word could get back, had I divulged any details. Now that I see they've closed almost all their offices in the region, I'm feeling less paranoid.

[Bo]

Originally Posted by akm4

That's exactly what i expected, but they ask why I would leave at the top of my game after less than a year? It seems everyone is connected somehow in the field. I made a name for myself, then disappeared. There was talk, and they want to know what happened.

"I left because I needed to tend to a family issue. The issue is now resolved and I'm ready to dig back into work." It's the kind of response that prevents the employer from digging further for details, but leaves no doubt that you're serious about your career.

[Marie Joseph]

Originally Posted by akm4

That's exactly what i expected, but they ask why I would leave at the top of my game after less than a year? It seems everyone is connected somehow in the field. I made a name for myself, then disappeared. There was talk, and they want to know what happened.

Because of this connectivity, it wasn't unthinkable that word could get back, had I divulged any details. Now that I see they've closed almost all their offices in the region, I'm feeling less paranoid.

" I am seeking other opportunities because my prior organization was not as financially stable as I had hoped, and the potential for growth was not there."

Yeah, it sucks being in an industry where word gets around quick. I couldn't imagine that and I am sorry that you had to deal with being sexually harassed.

I work in a pretty large industry (manufacturing) but worked in a smaller town for a while and was sexually harassed by a supervisor when I was first starting out. It's an ugly feeling and at the time I felt that I couldn't do anything about it because the guy doing it was best friends with the HR manager.

Good luck in your job search.

[bobsell]

If they push for more information, just tell them you signed a confidentiality agreement and can't talk specifics.

Remember, you're likely to sign some kind of agreement when you work for someone else so they understand this.

[Rabrrita]

Originally Posted by akm4

Let's say, hypothetically, that a settlement was reached afterward. If this included a clause preventing me from disclosing anything about why I left the company, a hefty fine could be levied.

Let's say, hypothetically, you appeared to be getting a bad attorney if they allowed you to a sign a settlement agreement that did not contain some agreed upon reason for your termination of employment with the company. So, hypothetically, you'll just have to live with the potential lost of opportunities because of bad legal representation with that agreement. I belive the majority of actual cases usually have some statement that the reason for separation is to be 'By Mutual Agreement' and any further information has to be referred to the attorneys. That pretty much tells the prospective employer that a confidential settlement agreement is in play.