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Is it unethical to refer my previous colleagues to the competing company I am working for now?

So I am currently working at probably one of the best jobs so far in my career. It's an architecture firm with multiple disciplines, where in my section we work on primarily schools. I drive a very long commute, but this company is so drastically different from all the other sweatshops I worked with previously. They are very flexible, they won't call HR if I come in late, everyone wants to work with you, there's 25 days of PTO, there's an importance on mental health, WFH options, etc. I was one of the new hires, and we had a meeting last week with my primary principal, discussing that our section in the firm were still looking for new hires, so they encouraged our entire section to look for referrals that might fit into the needs of our section. People that came to mind were a couple of colleagues that helped…


So I am currently working at probably one of the best jobs so far in my career. It's an architecture firm with multiple disciplines, where in my section we work on primarily schools. I drive a very long commute, but this company is so drastically different from all the other sweatshops I worked with previously. They are very flexible, they won't call HR if I come in late, everyone wants to work with you, there's 25 days of PTO, there's an importance on mental health, WFH options, etc.

I was one of the new hires, and we had a meeting last week with my primary principal, discussing that our section in the firm were still looking for new hires, so they encouraged our entire section to look for referrals that might fit into the needs of our section.

People that came to mind were a couple of colleagues that helped me out at my previous job. My previous job was a “we're all family here” sweatshop that looked good because the entire “working” staff was friendly, but the boss was a control freak.

When I worked there, I was getting paid $20/hr. ($28/hr now) and everybody was basically doing overt time almost every week that they were there. When I was working for them, I did OT by my second week, and was up to as long as 11:30 PM.

The main gripe I had with my employer though was when he called me into his office with other staff members, because I was going to have a doctor's appointment that required me to leave 2 hours early from work. My boss told me that because I was new, I wouldn't be eligible for PTO until 3 months when my probation period was completed. I asked to go to my appointment, but expected that it would be unpaid, which was fine with me.

However, my previous employer had an issue with this because they are a “business for profit” and proceeded to ask me if anything was going on with me medically. I simply said “no” as to not escalate the situation. I was actually diagnosed with cancer in 2022, and had to have surgery to remove the tumor. I was recommended by several people not to divulge my cancer history, since it's not affecting my overall competency and that it would open me up to discrimination.

So after a month of doing almost nothing but OT, my boss told me that I was being let go because I wasn't pulling my own weight. Even though I helped everyone in the office meet deadlines they were behind on, and taught my coworkers new skills with the equipment we were using, through my years of experience. Worst part was I was living in my car during the week of being let go because of a fight I had at home with my family.

I speculate that the reason I was let go was because I went to my doctor's appointment, even though it was approved, because what I did “damaged their profits” one of my coworkers I made friends with said.

The people that I am referring to my new company where there are more benefits and pay were the two people that helped me out while I was still working, while homeless. They all said that I was a very helpful person.

I am going to send their info to HR, but should I be worried if my previous employers find some way to retaliate? Is it illegal to refer employees of a competitor to your company?

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