Is this considered slander in the workplace?

Question

While out on short-term disability, I was notified by several co-workers that a damaging email was sent throughout the office, regarding me & five other empolyees, stating that we were the most worthless, useless and valueless employees on the payroll.
I have contacted the company & filed a complaint, but have not heard anything back. I have the email and everytime I read it, it make my stomach sick. What should I do? Is this character defamation? Is this grounds for a potential lawsuit? Is there a difference between slander in the workplace & defamation of character?

I do know who sent the email. His name is on the email and he is a member of managment. The email was sent to other members of managment, but due to a typo the email was sent inadvertently to an non-management employee.

Answer 1

you have two problems 1) you have no idea who sent the email. 2) for all i know you are the most worthless, useless, valueless employee on the payroll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 2

Well, you've filed a complaint with the company, I think you need to pursue the status of that. Most companies would probably want to handle any workplace personnel problems in-house and in a professional manner. Your reaction is justified and understandable; just try not to overreact - that may bring you some grief. Good luck.

I just read your additional details. The fact that the source of this email is someone in management may explain why your complaint has fallen on deaf ears - if that is the case. So, I agree with what others have stated - maybe you should talk to an attorney and get some clarification/advice. I'm no lawyer, but I sense that slander or defamation of character may be a hard case to prove and have to be a lot more serious in nature - the sender of this email could claim that any statements made were his opinions and he is entitled to express his opinions to others - especially in an email that was meant to be a "private communication" to a specific few. If it was a public communication sent to everyone in the company with a certain intent and purpose - well, that's another story.

Answer 3

Businesses often give preferences to those who are loyal, and productive. They don't care about comics and liars, as long as they show up and do the work. You will find in every industry there are people that lie (55% of business school students). So, to be tough and realistic, you need to complain to everyone, including the perpatrator. You don't need to be friends with everyone. If you hear them slandering you, just say something like, yeah, we were getting stoked for shagging aliens from Jupiter in the parking lot. Why did you dump them, Susan? You choked on the Jupiter-sized tool? Anyway, there is the low-life that will try to push you out of the nest, and you will fall to dry up on the grass if you try to fly out of there. Believe me, I've been let go once from listening to a liar who told me to take a break, when really it wasn't time to take one. You've got to suspect not just the liar, but the others as well. If you do your job, maintain a calm, mature work-like attitude, nothing will penetrate your ethical armor. On the other hand, if you demand money from someone who likes this liar.... well.... they have no motive to give it to you. To hire a lawyer is expensive. Yet, if you have the funds to support yourself, and are not worried about future employment problems from suing a business person.... well, go ahead. Lawyers will tell you of course you can win. You are their bread and butter. I suggest simply, quietly moving to a better place of work. If you talk to the others and find they too have been slandered, and after some new person was hired the slander stopped - then you can wait a while. If you want to sue the person who is slandering you... well maybe just a letter from a lawyer to cease and desist will work. That's not a bad idea. And cheap. However, it would be necessary to openly tape testimony from people regarding the events. So, get a tape-recorder. Make it clear what you intend to do. That might be enough to stop the problem.

Answer 4

Stuart and SonoraM are correct. And only an attorney can tell you for sure.

That being said, consider that a defamation suit can be very expensive, and very draining emotionally. Even if you have a 100% solid case, the costs of filing the suit could run in the tens of thousands of dollars. So, when speaking with an attorney, factor that into your decisions.

Answer 5

I had a not totally dissimilar situation where an account manager with whom I work left me a voicemail message then failed to break the connection whereupon I overheard him making somewhat derogatory remarks about me to one of our customers. I saved it and played it for my supervisor. Nothing was done about it and I've put it behind me. The guy is a hot head and was mostly shooting off his big mouth since he got my voicemail and couldn't get an answer right away. I'm still working with the guy. Yours is definitely more extreme, I think the sender of the email at least showed extremely poor judgement and at worst caused you possible damage, not the least of which could be your chances of moving up in the company. You should at least consult an attorney who specializes in employment law.

Answer 6

If the originator of the email is in management then I'd think you would have a good case against the company. If the originator is one of your co-workers AND the company knows about the email and who originated and does nothing then you probably still have a good case against the company.

Answer 7

You need to speak to an attorney.

Answer 8

Do a good job and then you won't have to worry about people thinking you are worthless.

And it is called gossip, not slander.