If I tell the truth about the work conditions of my past job, how much trouble can they cause me?

I have vented to several about the truth of my past job (because they to also worked within the organization and had many of the same problems) but now someone is spreading lies about how I shouldn't be mad at my ex-boss because he saved my job & that the other secretary had to do my job so much - all of these are lies and they go back to my being honest about on the job things. One thing that seems to get them mad is because I told the truth about her doing personal things often on company time including making quilts and doing her son's school project on the clock. But I was also told in a roundabout way that when I apply for a job that he gives me a terrible reference (even though I have job evaluations from him giving me excellence in everything). Legally, can they do anything to me because I told the truth and in turn, can I legally to anything to them about spreading lies regarding personnel issues that normally would be held strictly between boss & employee?

the protections you get depend on your state law. check with your state's employment department (google it). legally, he cannot defame you with lies related to your job (for which you can sue), but he has a limited privilege to give references related to your job. realistically, it costs too much money and too hard to prosecute here. he hasn't even said anything yet according to you. let it go but do threaten him if you find out any of this is true.

Well probably you can but to be absolutely sure about your rights you better consult with a lawyer.

Think you should worry less about what is legal (it all comes down to "he said" "she said" and while it is unethical and a person can be fired for doing personal business on company time, it is not illegal. You/they cannot prove slander unless it is malicious and untrue and prove damages. Nearly every employment application anymore has general release to allow your prior employer to divulge ANYTHING from you prior employment if they chose to divulge it) and worry more about commiting professional suicide.

Nobody wants to hire or work with a complainer, whiner or person they have to worry about ratting them out at every turn.

Forget the past and move on,,,stop saying ANYTHING about your prior employer to anyone about work and let your current work that you are doing speak for itself.

Sorry this is not the legal answer you want. I just felt it worth pointing out that sometimes it is better to say nothing about past experiences. Otherwise you do three things; you lower yourself to the same level as those who are talking about you; you reveal more about yourself when you talk about other people than you might like to - discretion is always the best course of action, and thirdly you may put yourself in a position where you are libelling someone and therefore cause yourself some trouble. Often silence says a lot more than trying to justify yourself to someone. 'I don't want to talk about it.' can be quite a damning comment about someone if there are already suspicions. A recent practice that is emerging here in the UK; I think it started in the USA first; is at job interviews an interviewer will ask 'how was your journey?' If the interviewee gives a positive statement they get a tick but if the interviewee moans about traffic, late trains etc they get a big negative tick because it suggests they are a negative person. I wish you well and hope you get the legal answers you need.