What are my rights if I have been falsely accused of saying things at work that I did not say?
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What are my rights if I have been falsely accused of saying things at work that I did not say?
A supervisor was reprimanded a few weeks ago for the way she was treating employees. She has retaliated by filing false claims against me. This was written-up and put in my employee file. The claims are all lies. Do I have any legal rights to fight this?
Asked on December 17, 2011 under Employment Labor Law, Tennessee
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
If you do not have an employment contract, you are an employee at will. An employee at will has very few rights in or to employment, so you can't necessarily get these remarks deleted, or prevent your employer from taking some action against you for them.
However, if what the supervisor said was a false factual claim or statement about you--i.e. it was something provably untrue--then you might be able to sue her for defamation, if you suffer any negative impact or consequence. It would only be worth considering this if you are demoted, lose a bonus, are fired or suspended, have a pay cut, etc. due, at least in part, to her remarks.
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