Is it legal formy former employerto slander my name?
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Is it legal formy former employerto slander my name?
I was let go over a misunderstanding. Worked for this place for 4 years. I was top seller out of our region. Never late, absent, or sent home. I was just recently notified that my ex-manager has been telling possible employers that I was always late, bad attitude, and never met my quota. I also asked the bigger boss to keep something confidential but he spread it around to all managers. Is this a case?
Asked on October 13, 2011 under Employment Labor Law, Colorado
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Your employer or former employer cannot defame you any more than anyone can. Of course, not everything negative is defamation. Defamation is the public (to any third parties) making of untrue statements of fact which damage your reputation. An opinion is not defamation, and true facts, no matter how negative, are not defamation. So saying you have a bad attitude, which is an opinion, is not defamation. Statements that you were late or did not meet quota could be defamation, if they are not true.
As to confidetiality: if there is an actual confidentiality agreement or a contract with a confidentiality clause, that is enforceable. But if you just asked him to keep something confidential, he is not obligated to honor your request.
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