‘Never tell your old company where you’re going’: Worker alleges employer sabotaged his exit and cost him a new job

Before sharing your next job move at work, you might want to pause. A Reddit post alleging employer retaliation has reignited debate over why disclosing future plans can sometimes backfire. In a post shared on r/OfficePolitics, the employee claimed their old company may have sabotaged a new job offer just one week before their scheduled start date. According to the post, the new employer abruptly rescinded the offer after receiving what it described as “bad feedback,” vaguely pointing to references as the issue. However, the employee said all listed references later confirmed they had given only positive reviews and were unaware of any concerns.

Following the withdrawal of the offer, the employee’s current company allegedly changed its stance as well. While initially suggesting the employee might be able to stay, management later claimed they could not find anyone willing to work with them, leaving the employee without projects or billable hours. The poster believes this was a deliberate attempt to both block their departure and make their continued employment untenable.

Fearing long-term damage to their professional reputation, the employee said they are now considering legal action, arguing that the situation amounts to blackballing and retaliation. In the meantime, the employee shared some advice: “: never tell your old company where you are going to work.”

How Reddit users reacted

The post drew strong reactions from other users, many of whom shared similar experiences or offered blunt advice. One commenter called it a “rookie mistake,” while another said they routinely remove common professional connections when job hunting to avoid such scenarios.

Several users warned that former managers should never be listed as references unless there is absolute trust. A user commented, “That sucks! Sorry you’re dealing with this BS. Should be illegal.”

Others urged immediate legal action, arguing that badmouthing an employee to block future employment and creating a hostile work environment could be illegal. One user shared a personal account of threatening legal consequences after discovering an old boss was sabotaging references, which allegedly led to HR intervention.

Some commenters emphasized that in the United States, employers are typically only permitted to confirm dates of employment and job titles, and that negative commentary can expose companies to lawsuits. Others pushed back against confrontational approaches, advising that any outreach should come through an employment lawyer rather than direct threats.

Despite differing opinions on next steps, the dominant sentiment was sympathy and caution. Many users echoed the same lesson the employee shared at the end of the post: never tell a current employer where you are going next, especially if there is any risk of retaliation.