Company i interviewed with told my current company

LegacyUser

I've been having a lot of trouble with my company lately. In short i have more than one manager and they constantly give me different instructions but no matter how many times i explain they won't listen and i end up in trouble with someone overlooking my shoulder the whole time, other colleagues of mine have also been told, and on one occassion the manager told them to deal with me. I feel very uncomfortable in my workplace because of the problems, and that my managers are closed to hearing me but punish me anyway. So i started looking for a new job, i interviewed with one company but was a nervous wreck and didn't get the job. The job that i'm in now has eaten at my nerves and i've become a very panicky fearful person.

Anyhow fast forward on and i'm now being called into a meeting to discuss that the managers know i was at an interview because they were told by the other company. The industry that i am in would have a lot of people who know each other.

My managers aren't telling me what to discuss or whats happening just i've to come to this meeting first thing tomorrow morning. A colleague said its because they know i interviewed.

I feel realy nervous and upset and as usual with work problems i'm extremely stressed and having slight chest pains.

I would have thought that under data protection the company i interviewed with should not have told them i attended an interview. They never asked for references, and i didn't list anyone as a reference. Also i had gotten the usual rejection letter a week or so before this. Also can i be called up like this without being told what its about by my own company?

Miss Fluff

That's appalling. Do you have a HR Department? If so, say that you will only attend the meeting with a HR representative in attendance. If you don't have a HR Department then ask that a witness also attend the meeting. I find it inconcievable that they would have any grounds to take you interviewing elsewhere any further tbh, sounds like bullying tactics of the worst order imo.

kjl

Yes, you are right. This is a clear breach of the data protection act but I don't think your company are going to fire you over this.

You should use this meeting as a method to voice the concerns you are having, tell them that you find it very stressful not having clear management. You can also mention the fact that you feel you are being micro managed and the lack of autonomy is making you re-evaluate your options

with regards to the company you interviewed with, I would suggest you make a complaint to the data protection commissioner. Have a look at the link below

http://www.dataprotection.ie/ViewDoc.asp?fn=/documents/rights/2f.htm&CatID=21&m=r

it may not help you, but it will prevent this company from doing it to another individual.

And my last bit of advice is try to find some way to relive your stress. You sound like a broken man (or woman). This is no way to live your life and can lead to serious depression.

Carriexx

They are probably going to try and scare you here, please contact HR and speak to comeone in confidence - this isnt allowed to happen in this day and age. Or ask a colleague to come with you. Best of luck

Cunning Stunt

OP if they are calling you in about the interview then they are in the wrong - remember that. Make sure you let them know that this is breach of data protection, as mentioned by a poster above and do not stand for their scare tactics.
As another poster said, you can use this meeting to your advantage and tell them why it is that you are not happy in your current job.
Best of luck!

Surely if the OP faces any disciplinary actions, then technically both companies are leaving themselves open to legal actions? As for your interview with the other company, I personally wouldn't want to work with someone that so readily screws me over.

Big Bag of Chips

Maybe they are calling this meeting to find out why you want to leave, and if there is anything they can do to make you stay?

I know you are stressed, but I agree with kjl and you can use this meeting to make things easier for yourself. Definitely bring someone in with you. You are entitled to that.

I know you are up to your eyes in it and feel like this is a negative... but that is not necessarily the case.

Good luck to you, I hope you get sorted one way or another.

LegacyUser

Eh! Hold on a minute! You did nothing wrong. You are perfectly entitled to go for other jobs. It's none of their business. It's a free market!

I think your submissive attitude is causing them to pick on you more.

Get to know your rights and tell them to back off!

Emme

If you can talk to HR but you might be well advised to seeks sound legal advice.

blackbird98

are you sure that one of your work colleagues didn't tell your employers about the interview? Did you pull a sickie to attend the interview?

You are entitled to attend interviews, without penalty from your employer, assuming that you attended while on your own time, holidays, unpaid leave, time off, etc... I can't see your employers being able to do anything about it.

Use the meeting to point out the issues which you are having and hopefully resolve them.

Best of luck

wylo

Often managers/companies can be shocked to find out a good worker is unhappy. It's usually they're own ignorance that causes this,because they are unaware of their own bad managing practices, id be very confident that this is going to be a very friendly chat where they are going to be really curious as to why you want to leave.
One thing id do is try to find out how they know. That's important. It may not have been the other company.

allgirlz

Well they certainly cannot sack you for interviewing with another company and both companies would be in huge trouble if they tried to do so. How did today go? Hope you are ok? I think also that considering the stress this position is causing you that you should consider going to your GP or to a professional counsellor to talk things through and try and get some confidence back.

amdublin

Did you take an annual leave day or call I'm sick on day of interview?

If the former I wouldn't worry about it.
If the latter that is maybe what they Wang to talk to you about.