Former employer contacting new employer following dispute

1940sGal

I posted recently about my former employer withholding my final weeks wage. It was because I made a mistake in my letter of resignation and said I would work a day longer than what was required. When I didn't work that final day they decided to withhold my whole weeks wage.

I know they cannot legally do this. I suspect they know they can't legally do this and ACAS have confirmed as much. I think they are being petty for the sake of it.

Anyway, following the advice I had from ACAS I handed them a letter today stating I had been in contact with ACAS and asked the issue to be resolved within 7 days and if it wasn't I would open an early conciliation case with ACAS.

A few hours later I get a call from my new manager telling me that my former employer had been in contact with them to inform them of our dispute and asked if I would be delivering to them (my new job is delivery driver for a bakery and supply bread to old employer).

Is this something that, should it go to a tribunal, I can use against them? Or is it just them being petty and something I have to rise above? It's all ridiculous really over the sake of me not working one day.

Guest101

I mean there's elements of inappropriate behaviour there, but....


Your employers client (your old company) has contacted them to ask that, due to an on-going dispute, you are not assigned to their account.


Seems perfectly reasonable.

ohreally

Wouldn't the situation have been better to have just worked that one day and keep you head down? What happens if your new employer decides they don't need this disruption?

1940sGal

Guest101 wrote: »

I mean there's elements of inappropriate behaviour there, but....


Your employers client (your old company) has contacted them to ask that, due to an on-going dispute, you are not assigned to their account.


Seems perfectly reasonable.

Trust me, knowing them that's not what they've contacted them for. Though now you've said that I can see that's what they'd claim they were doing. I'm just glad my new manager isn't interested, she's been through something similar so she's sympathetic to my case and has told me I have nothing to worry about.

1940sGal

ohreally wrote: »

Wouldn't the situation have been better to have just worked that one day and keep you head down? What happens if your new employer decides they don't need this disruption?

I couldn't work that day, hence why I didn't. My new manager has told me not to worry as it doesn't affect things at my new job.

FBaby

It might not affect it, that is if there don't rely on you doing the delivery to your old place because if they insisted that they didn't want you to do it, there couldn't impose it, all they could say is they can't provide the service any longer, but would they really be that supportive to be prepared to lose the business?

Yes, it is petty, but it might be a matter of principle. Indeed, it was your error that precipitated the issue, and if you didn't even bother to call them to inform them of it, it is showing a lack of care in their business. I agree that their response, withholding payment for as long as possible and contacting your new employer to cause you trouble seems very extreme, but some people take things very personally, or have very high ethical standards.

Undervalued

1940sGal wrote: »

Is this something that, should it go to a tribunal, I can use against them? Or is it just them being petty and something I have to rise above? It's all ridiculous really over the sake of me not working one day.

I think you have answered your own question.

There is no law against being petty or against them contacting whoever they please. Only if they say something that is provably untrue would you have any potential redress.

1940sGal

FBaby wrote: »

It might not affect it, that is if there don't rely on you doing the delivery to your old place because if they insisted that they didn't want you to do it, there couldn't impose it, all they could say is they can't provide the service any longer, but would they really be that supportive to be prepared to lose the business?

Yes, it is petty, but it might be a matter of principle. Indeed, it was your error that precipitated the issue, and if you didn't even bother to call them to inform them of it, it is showing a lack of care in their business. I agree that their response, withholding payment for as long as possible and contacting your new employer to cause you trouble seems very extreme, but some people take things very personally, or have very high ethical standards.

I did wonder if they planned on finding a new supplier. It wouldn't be a massive loss if they did. I know any business wouldn't like to lose customers but their order is so small their loss wouldn't be a big one.

As for 'high ethical standards' those are not words that would be paired with my old boss. He is a man who believes only in making as much money as possible, in doing everything possible to save money, and who pays his sous chef so much officially and the rest in cash so that his other sous chef at his other restaurant doesn't see what his equivalent is earning and ask for a pay rise. I wouldn't say he is morally corrupt, but when it comes to his businesses, morals rarely enter in to his decision masking.

Guest101

1940sGal wrote: »

Trust me, knowing them that's not what they've contacted them for. Though now you've said that I can see that's what they'd claim they were doing. I'm just glad my new manager isn't interested, she's been through something similar so she's sympathetic to my case and has told me I have nothing to worry about.

Is that a direct quote to the tribunal?


It doesn't matter if what I wrote is the truth, it's a perfectly valid reason to contact your new employer.


That's all they'd need to provide.