Employer Ethics

RAD

Well bigugh, they're a start. Unfortunately they don't detail my experience though. I plan to submit them with a letter explaining my job duties though, but it is only a piece of the puzzle. Thanks for the input though. My father is a code offical in another state and he suggested the same thing.

RAD

Employer Ethics

Ok Gang, Here we go. This is an ethics question, related to our trades. I left a company on good terms after 3 years to pursue life in a different state, @ 2000 miles away. Didn't like the state, got homesick and returned to the previous one to start my own company. I need to verify employment and job skills in the mechanical arena to license with a class A license. It requires 8 years of experience to be verified by previous employers. My past employer is unwilling to verify for me and will not return any calls. They seem to be upset that I am hanging a shingle on their "turf", especially since they just expanded into the phonebook of the city I'm trying to license in. I have more documented experience than I need anyway, but my application will have a 3 year gap in it. Not good. Anyone have any suggestions? Ex Rhode Island Mayor "Buddy" Cianci said it best: "Be careful of the toe you step on today, it could be connected to the **** you have to kiss tomorrow."

bigugh_4

What about the 1040 tax forms they provided to you while in

their employ! the tax folks may be able to help you recover the info, and if not perhaps the former employer would rather he help than get the IRS involved!

Mike Murray

It could also be phrased "who'se **** you're going to kick today" but I guess it all boils down to how you stepped with those toes during previous dances.

All the best in your new venture. It can be both rewarding and... well, it'll keep you on your toes.
Good luck!

RAD

I'm a pretty good dancer.

Hey Mike, thanks for the words of encouragement. As for the dance, you brought it up so here we go. Prior to returning to the state I'm in now I called the employer and asked for my old job back. (the one I was told would be waiting for me if I wanted it) However when I asked about retuning to work I was told "I can't promise you anything".
Seeing as I have a wife and 2 kids to support, and I had no guarantee of a job, my wife and I switched roles of stay at home parent and she returned to work so I could begin the process of opening up shop. I chose a new path and didn't look back. When I got up and running, an old client of mine from my company days heard I was back and wanted me to contact them about some work. They had just entered a contract with my old employer for some major work. They offered to cancel the work order. I instructed them that it would be very un-professional for me to bid the job after the fact and that they should honor the contract. I also told them that If in the future they would like to give my company a try I would be happy to provide my services. Somehow it got back to the other guy that I had spoken with the client and suddenly I am "soliciting their customers". When I got wind of this I was so pissed off that I called the client and told them what I had heard. Wanting to keep the situation from escalating, the client actually called the owner and informed them that I had suggested they continue to do business with them and would not accept any work that was contracted to their company, regardless of the clients desire to have me do the work.
I guess the guy didn't like being told he was wrong.
There you have it.

Earthfire

The DANCE

you were ethical and didn't take work that the customer wanted to give you, the previous employer wants to be obstructionist, quote whatever comes down the pike and take the jobs you want. No more passes. I would bet that they'll be hunting for your customers.

Bryan_5

R.A.D.,
Well I have a very easy and simple soloution. Go contact an attorney and tell him your story. Ask him to draft a nice little letter and have him send it to your former employer. May cost you a couple hundred bucks but how much are you spending by not having it done? I think you will be suprised how fast this gets resolved. He is hindering your livleyhood and in court that means big dollars. Take care and good luck.
Bryan

Rob T

Even though

I don't like the idea of litigation Bryan is right. They are hindering your future prospects and I am amazed that, in today's society, they took the stance they did.

Around here we have the opposite problem, workers can be extremely undesireable but to avoid any hassles their previous employers will, at best, give them a bland reference. It makes it tough to weed out the bad ones when this happens on a regular basis..

Good Luck on your new business!!

Rob