My manager asked me if I was on drugs in front of customers... My grandmother and husband think I should sue?

Question

I was trying to work my way to management and actually I was training for management. Then, my manager asked me if I was on drugs because I was running around trying to clean our store. I had customers complain about me doing it because she said it in front of customers and now I have no shot at management. My grandmother, my mother, and my husband think I should sue for slander, because in all actuality I was not on any kind of drug. Does anyone have an opinion on this, I really don't know what to do.

Answer 1

There's no slander involved. Your manager asked you a question that he was well within his rights to ask. If you're not happy about it, there's always Wendy's or Burger King.

Answer 2

Is this manager your boss and have influence over whether or not you get the promotion? If so, pull her aside and let her know that you can see how she might have assumed that you were taking something...however, you are really enthusiastic about getting the manager position that you have been training for and perhaps you got a bit carried away that particular day. Assure her that you are not a drug user of any kind and that you would never jeopardize your opportunity with the company by doing something so foolish.

I've personally never heard of someone complaining that someone was working too much...how odd. Do you normally get along with this manager? It sounds like she just didn't think when she spoke out loud, and if anything SHE didn't act professionally.

Sueing won't cause any headway in this except animosity...it could also make your staying there very difficult especially if this manager has any clout and can make your life miserable.

Best to go at it in a calm, non confrontation way and work around to her good side :)

Everyone makes mistakes...let this one be hers, if it happens again however, if she has a manager above her...report it to him.

Good luck

Answer 3

I don't think that cleaning up affects your chances at management. Although the comment was out of place, it is highly unlikely that it merits a lawsuit. Were the customers complaining because you were cleaning at an inconvenient time or because of what the manager said? If, indeed, you were in the way of business being conducted maybe you should not have been cleaning at that particular time. The manager could have handled the situation a little more tactfully, though.

Answer 4

How is it that your shot at management has changed because of the customer's opinion?

That doesn't make sense. You won't be successful suing.

You should continue working and doing what you can to become a manager...Soon, when the folks in the up-chain from your manager understand what a poor leader she is, she'll be canned, and there will be room for you in her spot.

FYI, I think a good response to your manager would have been, "No, Jane, I'm not, but I think you must be, if you asked me that in front of a customer!"

Answer 5

Definitely first and foremost--immediately, or as soon as you can, follow the company's chain of command--go to his boss, and if you get no resolution there go to that person's boss. Keep going up the ladder if necessary. Then, if you find no resolution within the company, go to the labor board. I don't think you have a snowball's chance in Hades of suing for slander, but I bet you do have a legitimate legal complaint maybe for harrassment. GO TO THE LABOR BOARD. DOCUMENT EVERY STEP YOU TAKE AND STEP CAREFULLY. Your company has a lot more money than you do so contact Legal Aid if you have it in your state. There's no call for that kind of conduct in the workplace, and if your company was smart they'd fire a manager like that. Scenes like that make customers shop at the competition. Good luck with your case and I hope you are able to get justice without having to go to the ends of the earth to do it. But if you do have to fight, I hope ya beat 'em to a bloody pulp in court!

Answer 6

Unfortunately, if they were found guilty, they would get away with a slap on the wrist. They have the entire company behind them and top lawyers, and you have you. I would, however, go to people above your manager and explain the situation to them. As long as you have customers willing to tell the truth. They might reprimend your manager, but probably he will get away with having to give you an apology. Unfortunately, it is a no win situation for you, but I would tell management so perhaps it will never happen to another person. Best of luck.

Answer 7

You can only sue for actual losses or losses that you have a reasonable expectation to receive.

That would be like suing someone because we were in a car accident and my knee was screwed up and I always wanted to be a world famous dancer. There is no judgment for squashed dreams.

Most employers, especially larger ones, will have a employment standards code which normally provides for prohibition against public humiliation. You could make a complaint to the company in that regard, which could clear your name within the company a bit.

Sounds to me like she was likely joking and not actually accuse you of being on drugs, it is a relatively common saying....

Answer 8

Certainly (if I understood the scenario correctly) what the manager did was not very professional (not to mention not very cool) but I would have to agree with other posters in that you should complain to your supervisors supervisor (if you feel you can't work it out with your supervisor on a person to person level). Sueing in this case might be a bit extreme.

Answer 9

Dude, sueing is lame. It hate how there are so many frivilous law suits all the time. Just forget he even ssaid anything. Is this event going to change your life and cause you not to be able to live normally? I don't think so. Get over it and don't be such a baby.

Answer 10

Asking someone if they are on drugs is not slander. Saying that someone is on drugs when they are not on drugs is slander. Understand the difference?

Just chill out and find a better job.