Slander?

My Boss Lied And Said I Had Stolen! Slander?

November 11, 2012November 11, 2012 Tina Lewis Rowe

Question to Ask the Workplace Doctors about slander:

Recently at my job my General Manager told all my co- workers that he had set me up and caught me stealing from them. I did not and he has no proof. Do I have a case for Slander?

Signed, Not A Thief

Dear Not A Thief:

We’re not attorneys and can’t provide legal advice, so you may want to contact an attorney. However, I doubt that you have the basis for a civil claim against your boss, but I might be wrong. You could ask for a free phone consultation with an attorney or an assistant and find out where you stand with this.

Slandered By My Boss!

November 24, 2011November 24, 2011 Bill Gorden

Question to Ask the Workplace Doctors about the boss’ lying:

I recently found out my boss was lying to my dm so I wouldn’t move up in the company. Is this slander?

Signed, Still Where I Am

Dear Still Where I Am:

Slander is a legal matter. Our site addresses workplace communication related questions, and of course talk against another person is communication, but we don’t provide legal advice. (*See a definition at the close of this answer).

You probably are familiar with the definition of slander and feel you reputation has been harmed because you ask if your boss’ lying about you to your “dm” is slander. If you want to know if you have a case, consult a local attorney. You’ll need to provide as complete as possible a description of when, where, and what was said, who witnessed it, and evidence did and/or is the cause of harm to you. Apparently you believe that lying about you is the reason for you not “moving up” in your company and not other reasons.

February 16, 2010February 16, 2010 Bill Gorden

Question to Ask the Workplace Doctors about slander:

I recently started work at a high tech fabrication site. I relocated from several states away. I work on the night weekend shifts. I have over 30 years experience in the industry. There is a co-worker, who has been at the company for over 13 years, who works days; weekdays (we have pass-down with each other every Monday), who apparently has been slandering me with the announced intention of getting me fired. I have been told by several sources, who are all willing to speak on my behalf, that he has announced that he “hates” me and is working on getting me fired.

How Do You Prove Slander?

January 29, 2010January 29, 2010 Tina Lewis Rowe

Question to Ask the Workplace Doctors about spreading lies:

A parent in the school where I teach wrote a letter to a group of teachers which contains lies about me. How can I prove that this is slander?

Signed, Determined

Dear Determined:

You need to see an attorney about this matter. If you want to make a claim of slander or charge someone criminally with defamation, you will want an attorney anyway. (In some jurisdictions these claims are civil only and in others they can be criminal, so it varies) You can usually get a free consultation during which a paralegal or the attorney can tell you the kind of evidence you need to collect and if the lying statements rise to the level of slander. (“He’s cruel and insulting” is probably just an unfounded opinion or complaint. “He has done inappropriate things with children” would likely be defamatory.)