Is it harassment if your co-workers talk about you in a derogatorily manner?
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Is it harassment if your co-workers talk about you in a derogatorily manner?
They spread rumors that I was sleeping with the warden, deputy warden, and human resources. They said that was how I got my job. They were extremely rude to me while I was at work. They keyed my car. When my husband got hired the rumors got worse, and I had to quit. I feel it was a very hostile environment. Being that I worked at a prison and could possibly have to depend on these people to save my life at one point or another, I didn’t feel safe. I loved my job but the co-workers made me hate being there. I feel down the steps at work and they made fun of me.
Asked on December 30, 2011 under Employment Labor Law, Pennsylvania
Answers:
S.L,. Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
The harassment. specifically the false statements about you sleeping with others would constitute defamation. You could sue your former co-workers for defamation. Defamation is a false statement made with knowledge of its falsity communicated to a third person who recognizes the defamatory content and the statement is injurious to your reputation. Each repetition of the defamatory statement is also actionable as defamation in your lawsuit. Slander is spoken defamation. Libel is written defamation.
Your damages (the amount of compensation you are seeking in your lawsuit) would include mental distress, physical illness, medical expense, loss of friends and associates resulting from the defamation. Some of these items may or may not be applicable to your particular situation such as physical illness, medical expenses, etc.
As for the incident of keying your car, you could sue the culprit for trespass to chattels. Trespass to chattels is the intentional damaging of your personal property. Your damages (compensation you are seeking in a lawsuit) would be the cost of repairs to your car.
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