Can I sue my employer for talking about the reason I was fired with other employees?
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Can I sue my employer for talking about the reason I was fired with other employees?
I have been told by multiple people that my former manager has been telling his employees that I stole from the company.Since I have not been charged yet, I was wondering if this constitutes slander?
Asked on February 8, 2011 under Personal Injury, Minnesota
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
The key question is: did you steal? Forget about whether you were charged yet; the issue is did you steal and if so, can the employer show that you did? Slander is the public (i.e. to other people) making of false factual statements that damage someone's reputation. Opinions are not slander (e.g. "Bob is jerk") and nor are truthful statements, no matter how damaging. So if you did in fact steal, regardless of whether there are or the outcome of criminal proceedings, and if the employer could show that you stole, then what the employer said is not slander. On the other hand, if you did not steal, then it would be, and it would be worthwhile speaking with a personal injury attorney to see what your case might be worth and how strong it may be.
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