If my HR manager is making speculative and false statements about me to my staff, can this be considered slander?

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If my HR manager is making speculative and false statements about me to my staff, can this be considered slander?

My HR manager is insinuating, and in some cases outright stating, to my staff that my supervisory team (past and present) is in place due solely to alleged personal relationships rather than due to job performance and aptitude. Employees who wind up in her office frequently come to me after the fact stating that the HR manager made claims that the supervisory team is a good old boys’ club, and that we’re all drinking buddies. This is not true in the least and is changing my employees perception of me and causing significant anxiety and loss of sleep.

Asked on September 5, 2010 under Employment Labor Law, Nevada

Answers:

S.L,. Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 13 years ago | Contributor

You can sue the HR manager for defamation.  Defamation is a false statement made with knowledge of its falsity communicated to a third party causing you damage.  In addition to your cause of action (claim) for defamation, your lawsuit should also include a separate cause of action (claim) for intentional infliction of emotional distress.  Intentional infliction of emotional distress is an extreme and outrageous act intended to cause and which does cause you emotional distress.  The defamatory statements by the HR manager are extreme and outrageous acts intended to cause and which are causing you emotional distress as manifested by your anxiety and loss of sleep.  You will need to file your lawsuit prior to the expiration of the statute of limitations or you will lose your rights forever in the matter.


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