“My Former Boss is Bad Mouthing Me.” 7 Direct Ways To Handle It

Last Updated on July 31, 2023 by Daniel Boyce

Have you ever been in a situation where your former boss is badmouthing you? It’s a difficult and unpleasant situation to be in, and you need to seek a resolution.

Your reputation is invaluable, it dictates how prospective employers view you as well as the kind of opportunities that come your way.

When someone speaks badly about you behind your back, it’s natural to feel helpless, angry, and frustrated. The news can deteriorate your health and mental peace if not taken care of soon.

If rumors are being circulated or if direct accusations are being made against you by former employers or colleagues, there are ways to address this issue directly and protect your reputation.

When someone says, “My former boss is bad mouthing me” here are 7 ways you can handle it.

7 Direct Ways to Handle Your Former Boss Bad Mouthing You

The thought of your former boss bad-mouthing you to employers, colleagues, or friends can be a difficult one.

However, it’s important to remain level-headed and come up with constructive solutions to move forward. 

1. Reach out to your former boss

If you think your old boss is bad-mouthing you, reach out respectfully and professionally by email or phone.

This will demonstrate that you value their opinion and want to do the right thing.

2. Ask what they’re saying

Go ahead and ask them directly what it is exactly that they are saying about you.

Doing this in person provides an opportunity for a productive conversation since it shows that you are open to hearing their feedback, even if it’s negative.

3. Respond professionally

Always respond professionally about the situation, no matter how upset or angry you may be.

This can help diffuse any further issues as well as highlight to others handling the situation with care and respectability goes a long way in any conflict resolution process.

4. Clarify details

During the talk with your former boss, make sure to get all the information you need to answer professionally.

Be ready to handle any concerns they may have in a constructive manner that could help you in both your current and future roles.

5. Ask for context

Before jumping to conclusions based on hearsay, it’s important to get all of the facts straight first which involves asking for context behind whatever bad talk has been thrown your way.

To determine the best way to handle the issue and protect professional connections, understanding the origin of these accusations is often helpful.

This is important not only for yourself but for any business partners you may be involved with.

6. Document everything

Be certain to record all interactions with your former boss, including emails and other types of communication exchanged between the involved parties throughout this situation.

If possible, document the timestamps in which different accounts said or did something as well.

This could protect you from future legal matters if the circumstances become more intense than expected. You could also use these records to prove defamation of character.

7. Move on gracefully

After everything has been said and done, remember there’s no point holding onto grudges from past situations especially if little tangible can come out from spending energy on such endeavors.

Instead, focus on growing from experience taking away valuable lessons leading to continued success both now life personally/professionally going forward!

Why Would My Former Boss Bad Mouth Me?

When a former employer speaks negatively about a former employee, it could be for a multitude of reasons. The most likely reason is that the former employer may feel the worker’s performance or skills were not up to their expectations during their employment.

It could also be due to unresolved problems between the two during the individual’s time at the company – such as attitudes or conduct issues – that remain unresolved after they have parted ways.

In some cases, a dissatisfied employer might also bad mouth a former employee to make themselves look better – as if they were heroic for firing them without giving any proper explanation or context.

In many cases, it can be hard to know why an employer is speaking badly about you, so it’s important to try and get some clarity on why this is happening.

If you still maintain contact with this ex-employer, then it might be worth discussing with them in person and asking for honest feedback on your time working with them and what areas you might have needed to improve upon.

Being open-minded and willing to hear criticism can help you gain more insight into what went wrong during your tenure and give you valuable pointers for personal improvement for your next job opportunity.

Keeping the discussion professional and polite will go a long way in terms of preserving whatever relationship (however fragile) there still may be between both parties.

No one wants their reputation tarnished by anyone, least of all by former employers who are supposed to recognize their efforts but instead badmouth them.

Sometimes coworkers use spreading rumors as a bonding tool. People love to gossip, and a small group may be the ones responsible.

Unfair as it may be, it is best to remain proactive instead of harboring resentment for those ex-employers who spoke poorly of you. This path will offer the greatest number of future career opportunities.

Conclusion

Overall, it is important to understand that no matter how much a former boss may be bad-mouthing you behind your back.

The most effective action to take is to remain professional and civil in any interactions you have with them. It can be tempting to repay their bad behavior in kind.

Some companies have even implemented a “no gossip” policy, as long as it isn’t overly broad.

But this will only damage your reputation and do nothing to resolve the underlying issues causing the rift between you and your former employer.

Instead, show some grace by handling difficult conversations calmly and courteously while simultaneously taking steps such as developing a personal brand or using legal processes when necessary.

Doing these things can help to ensure that others view you positively and protect yourself against reputational damage caused by malicious gossip.