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Q: Prudence – I’ve been interviewing for a pretty great job and they asked me for references. I provided them with customers and past bosses and they said they all came back great. Then I get a call from the VP that tells me they’re not making the offer because a local rep basically threw me under the bus. This wasn’t just a sort of bad reference, it was horrible and completely not true. Fact of the matter is, we just don’t like each other. I didn’t give him as a reference, nor did I expect they’d pick up the phone and basically advertise that I’m looking for a job. So, long story short, my boss found out and told me I could look for a job full time. My last day was Friday. Can I sue the rep? ~ Allan

A: Allan, WOW! I’m really sorry to hear this, and I have to caution all of my clients to never do this but as you can attest to, it happens. I’m not a lawyer so I don’t know if this a libel or defamation issue but it typically doesn’t cost you anything to run that past a lawyer to get their perspective. I wish you the very best and hope for a positive outcome. ~ Prudence

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