Question to Ask the Workplace Doctors about malicious gossip:
My employers have accused me of spreading malicious gossip about the company, and I have received a letter from a lawyer stating that my employer has accused me of telling untruths about the reputation of the company. What can I do about this?
Signed, Accused of Speaking Ill
Dear Accused of Speaking Ill:
Did you purposely badmouth your company? What have you been informed that you said? And did you in fact say something that was false? Answers to these are questions apparently are now in the hands of an attorney for your company. We don’t advise on legal matters, but we can advise you to consult an attorney. Usually you can consult a lawyer without a fee, and you can get an opinion regarding if you have spoken in ways that can be judged as slanderous and can learn whether the attorney would be willing to represent you and at what cost.Meanwhile you can reflect on what was heard as untrue and if you spoke about your employer falsely and maliciously; of what might you have said that is false and/or malicious, when and to whom. An attorney can advise you as to whether you should inquire of your employer or his attorney as to of what specifically you are accused. For sure, the best advice at this point is not to repeat anything that is false or could be construed as untrue.