My landlady frequents my workplace (a bar). Numerous patrons have informed me that I am often the topic of discussion. My landlady not only discusses my home life, she also makes up lies about my doings and states that she's had to give me evicition notices regarding different incidents. My boss adds her own opinions\snide remarkes about the things my landlady has told her. Both of them are bad mouthing me, mixing my home life with my work life (which I have always kept seperate), and all within earshot of the patrons. (sometimes trying to involve them into their gossip). Without the chance of getting evicited (I'm on a month to month rental) or the chance of getting fired, what can I do to stop them from publicly discussing my life? Are what they are doing legal?
2007-07-05 01:53:36 · 5 answers · asked by barangel 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
As America is a free country and we all have the right to free speech, there is nothing you can do. There are no laws against gossip.
Better solution is to find a new job and a new place to live. Life is to short to keep such toxic people in your life; people like that never change...they will just move on to a new target.
2007-07-05 02:02:06 · answer #1 · answered by bottleblondemama 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I think this may be slander or libel. I would check with a lawyer. Make it known to the people doing this that it is your intention to take them to court if it continues but you should prove your claim on tape or have a witness to the conversations. Has anyone else heard this? Will they testify?
Lying about someone is a minor crime but still a crime.
2007-07-05 09:38:45 · answer #2 · answered by Ed ward R 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Tell them if they continue to lie, you will sue them for slander. I would document or even record what they are saying. In some states both parties need to know if you are recording, but in most states only 1 party(you) needs to know if it is being recorded. What I would do is tape several times lying and then I would tell them you have a recorder and now you are going to record them. This should shut them up.
2007-07-05 09:06:48 · answer #3 · answered by $1,539,684,631,121 Clinton Debt 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They aren't doing anything illegal. Perhaps it would be best to have a talk with them individually and see if you can clear this up.
Gossip albeit hurtful is not illegal. If you decided to pursue a civil case, getting witnesses to testify would be almost impossible. Gossips tend to be cowards.
2007-07-05 09:02:30 · answer #4 · answered by Jack 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Sue them for slander.
2007-07-05 09:07:07 · answer #5 · answered by regerugged 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋