Is this slander?

Question

I was terminated from my position i had for 3 years, recently our deposit came up short. I was placed on leave, investigations took place, sherriff interviewed me, board of supervisors cross examined my statement. I proved to them I didn't take it. It was indeed misplaced. However when I was terminated for this mishap, I indeed admit I didnt properly lock up the money, so i got terminated for dishonesty. Unemployment denied my claim because they said that my boss said i had took money from them for my own use.

~~~~
Adding details:
Just for the record, I handled half a million dollars a month. Never once did I mishandle any of that money in the three years I had been with the county. I had just went through some personal issues I was under stress, alot of stress. I wouldn't even take time off due to the fact I need my whole 80 hour paycheck, being that I am a single parent of two. Im 34 my kids are 6 and 3. More so of a reason to not jeapordize my job in any way. The amount of money that was lost/misplaced/stolen wouldn't even of covered my rent. Meaning, it was not worth risking my only income i had in supporting my kids. Besides child support, but that there is a whole new subject. (l.o.l) Matter of fact I told them i was offended by their simply thinking I would take money and risk my job. My fault money wan't locked, but not my fault someone wandered into my office and snoop through my desk. All of my co workers have a key to front door. Any employee once inside is with full access.

Answer 1

you have a problem with the unemployment office and you can appeal this decision, inform the office that you would like to take an appeal and then at the appeal hearing, bring all of your paperwork with you that proves you were exonerated.

as for the slander, you would have to prove ACTUAL harm in a court of law, assuming that you were not paid by unemployment based on your employers statement i think you have a case

i would write a certified letter to the former employer stating that their comments to the unemployment office are causing you economic damage and that unless the statement to that office is rescinded, you will hire an attorney to protect your rights including but not limited to bringing a civil slander action against the office

Answer 2

let me get this straight...money was "misplaced" and you admitted that you had not done your job and properly locked the money up. your termination was your fault, no matter what your boss said. you have an opportunity to explain your side of things to the unemployment office and file an appeal, but your chances are slim. a reasonable person would make the same assumption your boss did, based on circumstantial evidence. as far as a lawsuit, i seriously doubt you have grounds. be glad you were not arrested...you are a local government employee...you have violated the public trust.

Answer 3

Here is the official definition:

slander n. oral defamation, in which someone tells one or more persons an untruth about another which untruth will harm the reputation of the person defamed. Slander is a civil wrong (tort) and can be the basis for a lawsuit. Damages (payoff for worth) for slander may be limited to actual (special) damages unless there is malicious intent, since such damages are usually difficult to specify and harder to prove. Some statements such as an untrue accusation of having committed a crime, having a loathsome disease, or being unable to perform one's occupation are treated as slander per se since the harm and malice are obvious, and therefore usually result in general and even punitive damage recovery by the person harmed. Words spoken over the air on television or radio are treated as libel (written defamation) and not slander on the theory that broadcasting reaches a large audience as much if not more than printed publications. (See: defamation, fair comment)


Sounds like an attorney may get you what you are entitled to which may be more than an unemployment check!

Best of luck!

Answer 4

I'd say you have a pretty good case but getting lawyer can be expensive. Do you have another job in the works or are you really in need of the unemployment? You should make sure you get a statement from the police department saying you were cleared of the charges. I'm not sure what you can do to make them stop lying to the unemployment office but maybe the police can help you. Good luck.

Answer 5

It depends on which state this occured in. Most states are what is known as "work at will" states. this means you can leave when you are ready and your boss can fire you when he is ready. Neither of you need a reason to terminate your job. Now, if you go and apply at another job and they contact you previous job and they tell them you were fired because they believed you had stolen money, then you have grounds for cival litigation for defimation of character. They would probably say "we cannot disclose why she is no longer with us" and leave it at that to cover themselves legally. Slander is when someone starts a rumor that makes you look bad to someone else. Defimation of character is when someone gives out information which stops you from getting a job or position when that information is TRUE.

Answer 6

I hope you realize that you have the right, AT NO COST TO YOU, to appeal the decision of unemployment before an administrative judge (who often favor the employee rather than the employer.)
It is an informal hearing and you do not need a lawyer. If you were investigated by law enforcement and not charged, they may be sympathetic and award you benefits.

I hope this has been helpful to you.

Answer 7

You can seek legal counsel, but you may also appeal the Unemployment denial and require absolute proof to be presented by your former employer. In "tie situations" the board usually rules for the worker. Hope this helps.

Answer 8

It's not slander, but it is definately wrong. You boss can't continue saying you took the money for your own use after you proved that you didn't and the police accepted your innocence. You need to confront your boss or talk to the sheriff who interrogated you before because your boss shouldn't be doing that!

Answer 9

Make sure you have your unemployment claim and what they said all in writing. Tell them you want a certified letter stating you were denied because of what he said. But yeah, get a lawyer.. get the police report, get everything related to this in writing. You'll need proof, otherwise it'll be a "he said, she said" thing and it won't go anywhere. Good luck! (can I borrow 10 bucks when you win?)

Answer 10

You have a lawsuit although gonna be tough winning. The statement by your boss was not public. You said yourself that you were careless with the money so if you didn't take it, you contributed to its being lost. forget it and get another job. Don't use this job as a reference.