What to do if I have a female co-worker who is spreading false accusations about me being a bully and turning a great job into one that I dread?

Get Legal Help Today

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

What to do if I have a female co-worker who is spreading false accusations about me being a bully and turning a great job into one that I dread?

My co-worker has told others in our office that I hate women and cannot work with women. She has also started pointing out every single thing I do, that she disagrees with to my boss, I assume thinking this is all pointing the finger at me as being incompetent. I chose not to reply to my co-worker’s statements but it is wearing on me. My boss seems to ignore the behavior, and allows it to continue, even though I have mentioned twice before. I have a great working relationship with everyone in my office, women and men, except this one bully. Is there any recourse?

Asked on August 3, 2012 under Employment Labor Law, Ohio

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 11 years ago | Contributor

Unfortunately, employment law does not protect against bullies, so long as  the bullying is not directed against a person due to a protected characteristic, such as the person's race, religion, sex, disability status, or age over 40. Therefore, if this co-worker simply does not like you, she may bully you under the employment law.

However, under tort law, she may not make negative untrue factual statements about you to third parties--that is defamation. She may state negative opinions about you--e.g. she could say that she thinks you're a "creep"--but if anything is a factual assertion--e.g. that you have committed sexual harassment, when you have not--then it may be defamation and you may be able to sue her.

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 11 years ago | Contributor

Unfortunately, employment law does not protect against bullies, so long as  the bullying is not directed against a person due to a protected characteristic, such as the person's race, religion, sex, disability status, or age over 40. Therefore, if this co-worker simply does not like you, she may bully you under the employment law.

However, under tort law, she may not make negative untrue factual statements about you to third parties--that is defamation. She may state negative opinions about you--e.g. she could say that she thinks you're a "creep"--but if anything is a factual assertion--e.g. that you have committed sexual harassment, when you have not--then it may be defamation and you may be able to sue her.


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

Get Legal Help Today

Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption