False statements by employer

[LarryWJ]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? massachusetts
I was released from my job due to an oranizational restructuring. I applied for a position with in the company in an area that I previously worked for 7 years. The current manager will not interview me stating poor work performance and excessive family issues. This individual will not address this directly with me, but feels free to report these reasonings to other co-workers. The fact is that in my 8+ years I have never received any such poor performance reviews, all have been very good to excellent and have received awards for this.
Why is this important? I will lose all of my years of service, pension and vacation time if I can't get back in and will have to start my career over in a poor economy with a job that I am over qualified for at a low salary.
I don't want to sound like a sad-sack, but I worked hard to do well in this company and someone is keeping me out of a job by making statements that are not true.
Thanks,

LarrywjWhat is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

[quincy]

Your first step would be to find out who is saying what about you, and why. Without this information, there is little you can do to correct the current manager's false perception of you as a poor worker with family issues.