When an employer gives false information about you to another party, it can have a highly detrimental effect on your career and reputation. The law protects people from defamation, including in writing (called libel) and in verbal communication (slander), but some employers continue to engage in this type of harmful conduct. This could be out of spite or to try to retain the employee, but in either case, an employee can suffer mental and financial harm. If you believe that your employer spread false information about you, contact an employment defamation lawyer in Walnut Creek right away.
What is Defamation?
Just because you don’t like something that your supervisor or someone else at work says about you does not mean you can take legal action. In order for you to be eligible for legal relief for defamation, you must be able to prove all of the following:
- Someone at your employer made a false statement of fact about you. The statement cannot merely be the person’s opinion.
- The information was conveyed to someone else, either verbally or in writing.
- Spreading the false information hurt your reputation or career advancement.
Some common subjects that defamation might involve include:
- False reasons for termination
- False claims of incompetence
- False statements about lack of honesty or integrity
- False claims of conduct, behavior, or characteristics
If someone gives you a false reference or lies about your employment performance or other issues that results in harm, you can take action to recover for the damages you experienced.
Discuss Your Options with an Employment Defamation Lawyer in Walnut Creek
If your employer gave out false information about you and caused you harm, you should contact a California employment defamation attorney at Ratner Molineaux, LLP. We represent employees who had their rights violated by employers or former employers, so please call (925) 332-1444 or contact us online today.