defamation of character

[whoanellie]

What is the name of your state? Alabama

I recently applied and was interviewed for a job by the regional supervisor of a fortune 500 company. I consented to the background investigation which included a credit report. Since my divorce my credit history is terrible. The manager of the location where I applied has told the owner of the beauty salon next door that I have bad credit but I may still get the job. The area supervisor agreed that the manager should not have done this but he too discussed the situation with several women at the salon. I am so embarrassed. What should I do? Are there any laws to protect me from this kind of embarrassment?

 

[Beth3]

I don't blame you for being embarassed and angry but I can't think of anything that would make this illegal. You might want to take a read-through of the Fair Credit Reporting Act just in case there might be something in there however.

 

[HomeGuru]

What is the name of your state? Alabama

I recently applied and was interviewed for a job by the regional supervisor of a fortune 500 company. I consented to the background investigation which included a credit report. Since my divorce my credit history is terrible. The manager of the location where I applied has told the owner of the beauty salon next door that I have bad credit but I may still get the job. The area supervisor agreed that the manager should not have done this but he too discussed the situation with several women at the salon. I am so embarrassed. What should I do? Are there any laws to protect me from this kind of embarrassment?

**A: I do not understand the relationship between the potential employer and the workers at the beauty salon next door.
Is the salon the neighborhood water cooler for gossip?

 

[whoanellie]

I gave them permission to collect background information about me that they agreed to keep confidential. They have not done that. I will continue to look into it further.

 

[whoanellie]

The owner of the beauty salon told me about the job. That is where I get my hair done. And yes it is the water cooler gossip place.

 

[HomeGuru]

Oh, ok.

 

[Beth3]

I'd find a new stylist and start getting my hair done elsewhere.

 

[HomeGuru]

I agree. That beauty salon owner needs an extreme face makeover. Well, one thing is that her mouth is too big.

 

[whoanellie]

No. The salon owner is not the one with a big mouth. The manager and regional supervisor of the company where I applied are the ones with loose lips. They are the problem not the salon. And there are laws that apply to hiring practices. They shared confidential information about me with other people that did not need to know. Where I get my hair cut is the least of my worries. But thanks for your input.

 

[cbg]

Yes, there are law regarding hiring practices but they did not violate any. Their behavior was unprofessional but not illegal as far as I can see. Unless there's something in the Fair Credit Reporting Act which I missed (which I grant you is possible) the fact that they told you they would keep the info confidential does not give you the right to sue them if they don't.