Former Employer Question / Slander?

[JanND]

Originally Posted by westender

I would tread extremely carefully. Please consider: What on earth could still be actionable after five years? In a civil/ employment case?

It appears more likely that this "attorney" is attempting to entrap you somehow. Imagine a world where people sued one another for things that happened more than three years prior. Bedlam. Almost all potential civil cases exhaust their statute of limitations by the second year after the "event".

There are way too many variables legally for anyone to make this type of blanket statement. Look at all the backlash today regarding starlettes and other's making accusations of historical sexual harassment and such.

OP...If you are this worried, you might want to go to an attorney and get a consult.

I'm simply speculating... Unless there is something else involved, which you implied in your OP, but have not disclosed.
It sounds to me like the employee that you are "supposed to know" is taking an action against your old company and the company attorneys are trying to keep whatever your story is out of it.

[Returning2USA]

Originally Posted by RamenAddict

It could be about something RE discrimination, and the attorney is trying to call other people to see if they had similar experiences. The OP said s/he left on bad terms, so the attorney is just doing his job in trying to gather information.

Good point, RA.

[Ttark]

An even better idea. Get an answering machine (NOT telco centralized voice messaging) and screen your calls. Answering machines are cheap. When this firm calls back again just ignore them. If they call enough times, gather the tape up and sue the firm for harassment. You'll win.

[Rowan123]

Absent additional information, it seems like the phone call is being blown way out of proportion. The attorney could have been calling for any number of reasons. Most likely it was to gather information of some sort. The OP didn't know the individual in question and told that to the attorney. I'd be very surprised if the attorney called the OP back.

I got a call from the Justice Department once. They were doing a background check on a former classmate of mine who I was no longer in contact with. She was applying for a job with them. I answered honestly and never heard back from them. My former classmate didn't contact me either.

Not all phone calls from law enforcement or a lawyer are fraught with danger.

[Bodie_Bunk]

Originally Posted by Rowan123

Absent additional information, it seems like the phone call is being blown way out of proportion. The attorney could have been calling for any number of reasons. Most likely it was to gather information of some sort. The OP didn't know the individual in question and told that to the attorney. I'd be very surprised if the attorney called the OP back.

I got a call from the Justice Department once. They were doing a background check on a former classmate of mine who I was no longer in contact with. She was applying for a job with them. I answered honestly and never heard back from them. My former classmate didn't contact me either.

Not all phone calls from law enforcement or a lawyer are fraught with danger.

Enough are to warrant concern