If you have been forced to deal with your boss spreading false criticism about you, you may be a victim of defamation. Defamation includes both libel and slander. California law defines libel as a ‘false and unprivileged publication by writing, printing, picture, effigy, or other fixed representation to the eye … which has a tendency to injury [any person] in his occupation.’ Slander is defined as ‘a false and unprivileged publication, orally uttered … which tends directly to injury [any person] in respect to his office, profession, trade or business … by imputing to him general disqualification in those respects which the office or other occupation particularly requires.’

The most common form of defamation in employment occurs when a former employee is forced to deal with the publication of false criticism that alleges incompetency, dishonestly, or a false reason for termination. It is important to remember, that you may only bring a lawsuit for defamation if what was said about you is false. Therefore, if you had been performing poorly at work you would be unable to sue for defamation if your boss telling co-workers about your poor performance. However, the publication does not need to be to an outside third party. Defamation still occurs if an employer defames the employee to a former co-worker within the company.

If you think that you may have been a victim of defamation at your place of work, get help by calling the experienced attorneys at Law Offices of David H. Greenberg for a free consultation. You can reach us at 1-888-204-1014. You can also visit us at www.discriminationattorney.com to learn more. We can help you stand up for your rights.