Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in Illinois

Unable to get a good job after EEOC complaint
I was wrongfully terminated from my last position, then filed an EEOC complaint against them. The case went to mediation, and I got a pathetically small settlement, and they were legally obligated to report to prospective employers and anyone who called for a reference that the separation was mutual.
However, I have now been unable to find an equivalent job in my field since then. I have gone on interviews that went well, and then not getting called back. This has now happened four times - working with recruiters, who now stop calling me back after interviews, as well as on jobs that I found myself - I simply can't get people to call me back and even tell me why they won't hire me.
But I did get a job that pays about 2/3 of what I used to earn, doing a job that I am overqualified for simply because I need to eat. That job I found through a recruiter who told me that my references were fine.
Is there a way to find out what happened with the other job positions? Is it possible to file an EEOC complaint against the people who haven't hired me and/or my past employer for ruining my chances at getting a decent job?

Asked on 6/01/07, 6:47 am

2 Answers from Attorneys

Zedrick Braden III Ainsworth & Associates PC

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Re: Unable to get a good job after EEOC complaint

Hello. I can understand your frustration. I suggests that you change your strategy and have a lawyer contact your old employer and make inquiry as to whether they have been contacted by any of your prospective employers. If your old employer is conveying negative comments about you when they are contacted, this is a basis for a lawsuit. Will be very happy to discuss this further and in more detail.

Answered on 6/01/07, 12:13 pm

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