I left my job under rough circumstances. But it is my only real body of work, When a prospective employer calls is there any laws in terms of what my ex-employer can or can not say?

As has been explained several times, employers may say anything they know, or reasonably believe, to be true. In few states are there any laws that regulate the provision of references, and none of those limit an employers ability to provide a truthful reference, or to express a valid opinion.

If you expect a less than favorable reference, you may want to be forthcoming with a prospective employer prior to the reference being checked. You'd be doing yourself a disservice to NOT disclose this in advance.

You could have someone call for a reference also and see what they say. It's very common for companies only to give out name, title and dates. If they give out additional information, then you would be prepared as to what to say in an interview.

It is impossible to get a definate answer to your question. Even if you receive positive responses from those of us who are forum members. It doesn't mean that is the response you will get when you have an offer on the table, and your referneces are being verified. You will find out when it happens. Not before.

Dolly, the poster is not asking what his employer will say; he is asking what the employer is ALLOWED to say. That, we can give a definite answer on. The employer may say anything that is true; that he honestly believes is true; or that represents his honest and supportable opinion.

cbg.

I understand what you mean and I agree. What I was trying to point out was simply, a person has no way of knowing beforehand how much information a previous employer will divulge. Many times previous employers stick to the basics. Also, it is impossible to predict how in depth a potential employer will become as far as asking more than just the basics. I agree as long as the information is true it may be given out with legal liability.

But that isn't what he asked. ALL he asked was what an employer is allowed under the law to say. He didn't ask anything about what would be asked or how much information would be given out; only what could legally be asked.

Stick to the question at hand, please.