Legal Question in Employment Law in Ohio

I had worked for a company in Ohio for about four (4) years. Over the years, there were the normal interoffice disagreements but for the most part my employment was uneventful. For my last review, I received good marks and received a raise and bonus.

Then out of the blue, I was asked to meet with HR and was informed that my services were no longer needed, no reason given as to why and was issued letter stating that I was terminated �without cause� and could apply for unemployment benefits.

My previous employer wanted me to sign a �Release and Settlement Agreement� after consulting with my attorney, I made a counter offer which was eventually accepted by my previous employed and myself.

As part of the �Release and Settlement Agreement� my previous employer agreed to issue a written letter of reference and to answer all written and oral reference checks in a �neutral� manner. Also that reference checks will only supply information concerning Employee name, dates of employment, job title, job duties and salary (if such information is requested).

Also included in the �Release and Settlement Agreement� is a clause stating that neither party could communicate any disparaging or derogatory statements, whether in writing or otherwise, concerning the other.

Over the past few months, I have had quite a few interviews and on two occasions, it was between me and another person but unfortunately the other person received the job offer.

After this happened again for the third time, I contacted the potential employer to see where I fell short and was informed that one of the deciding factors had been the reference from my previous employer.

When my previous employer had been contacted for a reference, they stated that I wasn�t fired and I didn�t quit but it was a mutual decision for me to leave the company.

There was no mutual decision, I was called into HR and was told my services were no longer needed and was terminated �without cause�.

Would this be grounds to pursue my previous employed for defamation and breach of the �Release and Settlement Agreement�?

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