Can I sue my previous employer for wrongful termination with them, as well as defamation for a false allegation given to a new employer resulting in denial of employment?

Question Details:

I was hired by a sanitation consultation firm, who was contracted by a meat packing company. About a month later there was an allegation made by an associate that I was in the ladies restroom with another female. After that the superintendent of the meat packing company questioned me about the incident in which I denied it and told him he needed to talk to my superior. At this point a foreman in my office told me that I was terminated as a result of this allegation. There was no investigation that I am aware of. I was asked to take a job with another sanitation contract firm that was taking over the sanitation work for the same meat packing company. I was asked to come in with 3 other employees since we all have experience in sanitation and we have all been with that particular company in the past. So I went in and we did our walk around and just got a feel of what we would need and how it would be set up. However, I was later called by an employee of the new firm and told that they were not going to be able to hire me because of the allegation that was made on me when I was with the first firm. l have emails and a text message to this affect and I have a witness who says that this is why they failed to hire me. My question is does this amount to wrongful termination, or defamation according to the definition. And what do I need to do now?

Asked 11/13/2009 under Employment and Labor | 519 View(s) | More Legal Topics