Q: Is this considered being blacklisted/blackballed? What can/should I do?
I am currently not happy with my current position and am looking elsewhere within the institution I work. I have been told it is my right to look and apply anywhere I am qualified. I work for a California state prison and am a state employee. I contacted the potential supervisor and she was excited at my interest, as she has been short handed with employees. Well, my current supervisor found out about me looking elsewhere, and he called my potential supervisor and bad mouthed me and said what I consider to be lies and defamation. He told her I was lazy and shouldnt be hired. I feel he did that because he is also short of employees and did not like the fact that I was looking elsewhere for a position. I was told this by a the person who works under the potential supervisor. I personally asked the potential supervisor if it was indeed true and she confirmed that it was. Is this blacklisting? And if it is, what can or should I do? Thank you.
A: From the information you provided, I do not consider this to be blackballing or blacklisting. While it may be defamatory, to the extent it harms you economically and emotionally, blacklisting or blackballing someone is when the employer itself suggests to other employers that you are not employable.
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