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Obviously I have not been clear in my description of the events. I can see now that it is almost impossible to make a blanket statement of advice on this question without knowing more about the situation.

This is a very small community (the total Island has only 150,000 people) and in my industry the pool is almost incestuous, rife with local gossip within the industry etc. and it is extremely harmful to anyone who has been "tagged" as "incompetent", "slow", "troublemaker" etc. I'm sure you get the picture.

I am a chef, and the restaurant where I was working is a seasonal operation with a very small staff. The two male chefs have made it impossible for me to return, even though the owner would take me back. I cannot work in such an atmosphere within such close quarters. The head chef fired me without just cause, and without advising the owner that he was doing so. He did this on the night of our grand opening, after letting me work all day. The opening was featuring one of my artworks that the owner asked me to enter into an auction for charity. She says she is now between a rock and a hard place, since she doesn't want to lose me, but put him in charge of the kitchen.

The reason he gave me for dismissal was "i'm afraid you won't be able to keep up when it gets busy". To me, this is an unfair assumption.. I am well respected in my industry and have NEVER been fired from a job. We had just gotten underway, the restaurant had only been open for a couple of months. I also have seniority over the other male chef, who has only been with us for a few weeks, and who has made it plain that there is not room for the three of us. He is the one who has been lying to the owner about me, went so far as to tell her I was cursing her out. When confronted by the owner, he sheepishly admitted that it was a lie.

I really don't think I can work there again even if asked to come back, but how do I get vindicated? What should I get for compensation? No notice was given. Should I have these men charged with defamation of character? They have effectively ruined my reputation and dashed my hopes of getting ahead in this industry, in which the field is very limited. These kind of incidents circulate like wildfire in this small place. I need some way to retaliate that is legal and professional.. unlike the actions of my peers.

I'm not sure where you are located geographically - but I am on the far eastern seaboard in a seaside, seasonal, very very small place. Provincial and/or Federal government services would be of little use to me in this instance. Should I file a complaint with the Tourism Industry or something similar.

I need clear headed advice as I am devastated, humiliated and concerned greatly for my future prospects. What should I do?