Many people face unexpected challenges when trying to improve their careers, especially when rival companies and workplace pressure collide. Stories about job transitions, employer retaliation, and sudden setbacks resonate with thousands of readers looking for guidance. Recently, we received a letter from a reader dealing with this very situation.
Dear Bright Side,
I (43,F) got a job at our competitive firm, same role, double pay.
When I went to hand in my resignation letter, HR panicked. They said a 2-week notice wasn’t enough, especially during our busiest season. I didn’t really care.
Then they added, “Betraying us and going to our biggest competition after 12 years won’t end well for you!” I just smiled and walked out.
But on my first day at the new job, something felt strange. Everyone in the office was staring at me. No warm welcome. Nothing.
Then I froze when I received an email from my new manager. It said, “We sincerely apologize for having to withdraw our job offer. We received a letter from your former company with negative feedback, stating that your work was left incomplete. We wish you the best of luck with your future endeavors.”
I went pale. That first day was supposed to be the day I signed my contract for this new, better job — but suddenly, I had no job at all.
Clearly, my former company had pressured them to drop me. No company wants to risk bad blood with another firm over a single employee.
What should I do? Was I wrong for leaving my former job?
Am I really the betrayer — or the one who was betrayed?
Yours,
Jane Q.
If you ever saved any of your annual performance reviews, or letters of accommodations from the offending company, gather them up, go back and plead your case. Explain their number one competitor is trying to railroad you. Then chat with a lawyer to see what they think.
If this story is on the level, I can't believe your former employer is so dumb. Yes, you have cause to sue them, provided what's in the letter isn't accurate. It's called intentional interference with contractual relations. I'd make sure to sue both the company and the individual employees responsible for doing this. Next time, don't tell them who your new employer is.
An employee is under no obligation or requirement to submit a 2 week letter of resignation. That is a "norm" or tradition that has been on going since who knows when. Get yourself an employment attorney. You have a lawsuit to file. Your previous employee may have broken the law by contacting your future employer to have your job offer rescinded. Also, if you're going to quit a company under no circumstances should you tell the employer you currently work for where your next job will be. That's none of their business
I fully agree with Sara Ann Briggs; Get a Lawyer NOW! You have every right to sue the living shit out of BOTH Companies for this, and if you still have the email I don't see how they have a leg to stand on.
Sue your former company and the one that hired you get an employment lawyer now.
Tell em to fuck and spit in the bosses face
Some companies don't want their former employees going to other companies because they likely think you're gonna give away company secrets. Id still quit because who wants to work for a company that treats people like that? What a jerk. Best of luck to you.
This is what drives me crazy about these "stories", and when I say story, I mean it.. First, unless you did something really bad, a competitor is not going to care if their competitor is doing good.. It just means more work for you.. Left work undone?? If it was just walked out, then yes.. 2 week notice, no..
Talking bad about an old employee is slander and against the law.. Every one in the office was cold to you.. Again, private matters are kept private.. No firm is going to tell the whole employee base about you.. That is, unless there are only 4 people working there..
just the letter stating your previous employer.. part is enough for you to sue both companies..
Lastly, if you have been with the same company for 12 years, I would think that would outweigh some disgruntled boss saying you are a bad employee..
So many holes in a story like this.. At least try to make them somewhat believable.
Completely agree, a former employer is not allowed to provide negative comments. Can only confirm previous employment.
Ask for copy of letter and see a labor lawyer
My brother in law was an engineer with planes, he became a whistle blower when he discovered his company was taking shortcuts when manufacturing plane wings. The company black balled him. This cost him several jobs. He was so good at his job his name is on several patents for missile parts.
First of all no one is under any obligation to give a job two week notice a job ain't going to give you two week notice when they fire you. That's corporate BS. I tell anybody don't do this because you set yourself up for things just like this article It's not smart Don't tell them nothing and don't show up.
You blabbering and telling too much with your own mouth. Eat your own grave.
Time to get a lawyer. They affected your lifely hood. Decimation of character. It won't get you either job back but you might get money. Next time never tell them where you are going.
Why would you tell your employer where you were going?
I would get a lawyer; they threatened you and slandered you.
Your first and biggest mistake was telling your employer or work colleagues that you were going to a new job and especially who you were going to work for
Well you are a traitor! I'm glad you re being treated as one!
Hope it's a lesson for your next job.
Sounds like you don't mind bending your knees. If your good enough you can negotiate your wages and kiss no one's ass!
You have nothing better than writing nasty stuff to many of these stories!
Piss off companies dont deserve loyalty. They would drop you in a moments notice and dont give a damn if you dont have another job. Fuck a notice and fuck you
Talk to a lawyer and also complain to the labour department. But bear in mind other employers may get to know about your actions and they will keep you at a distance.
Money talks and bs walks. Want to keep a GOOD employee pay them as such. If someone is willing to pay you 2x for what you are currently doing and you dont take it, you are a fool. It's a job not a mob, you're not family. Look out for number one
I hope that post was sarcastic.
How is it treasonous to get a new job? Before getting blackballed, the OP and the former employer had an equitable exchange. The employee gave their time and efforts to the employer in exchange for money. No treason.
I would move on, too, if a new employer offered me double the pay for the same w
position - especially if I had been there for twelve years.
That doesn't mean I'm a traitor. It means I have some common sense.
If you told them WHERE YOU WERE GOING TO BE WORKING, what did you expect would happen? Would the company that you were leaving give YOU two weeks notice? HELL NO, THEY WOULDN'T. You should have just left, or called in sick, and they wouldn't have had the chance to sabotage you. Most States are At Will, and NO ONE NEEDS TO GIVE NOTICE. You could have established yourself at the new company BEFORE your current employer even knew about it. It may seem like you are, or were, being disloyal, but that is how the the business world works.
Thank you, Jane, for trusting us with your story. What you went through is shocking, unfair, and deeply personal, and we take it seriously. We’ve looked closely at your situation, and we have advice that can help you move forward. Let’s go through them together.
Lesson 1: never tell anyone where you are moving to. Don't update LinkedIn for a couple of months. Lesson 2: always have your new employment contract signed for your new job BEFORE you submit your resignation letter. Lesson 3: Consult an employment lawyer. Lesson 4: once you are safely employed, leave an honest review of the old company on Glassdoor.
Save the withdrawal email and anything showing HR’s panic and threat. This is clear workplace retaliation and employer interference.
Create a digital folder with timestamps: rescinded offer, “incomplete work” claim, the HR quote. Strong documentation helps you fight defamation, wrongful blacklisting, or intimidation tactics between rival companies.
Suggest you should have secured the New Job first before resigning.
Email their HR or compliance team and politely request a copy or summary of the negative feedback they received.
Companies become cautious when asked to justify blacklisting, sabotage, or unverified accusations. Your silent, awkward first day suggests internal nerves—sometimes a simple request forces them to reconsider or admit they acted too quickly.
A company doesn’t keep someone for 12 years if their work is “incomplete.” That claim is weak and suspicious.
Highlight your long record to industry recruiters dealing with toxic workplace exits, career sabotage, and competitive-firm drama. Present the situation as an unethical feud between companies, not a performance issue—this reframes you as the professional victim of corporate politics.
Your former employer clearly influenced the competitor after you resigned, causing a financial loss. That’s classic tortious interference, wrongful job offer withdrawal, and potential defamation.
A labor lawyer can tell you whether you have a case or if a warning letter to your former employer could stop them from damaging your future opportunities.
Luckily, there’s still plenty of empathy and compassion in the world to balance out the hardships we face. These 15 real stories are a reminder of just how powerful kindness can be.
Lawsuit!
Pretty sure that is illegal. Sue them. For as much as you can get.
What the job did is illegal. The only thing they're supposed to tell another company is when you start it and when you stopped and how much you earn there are not allowed to bad mouth you to another company that's illegal and you need to sue.
Consult with an attorney, but honestly it seems there are missing pieces to this scenario.
