What recourse do I have if my former employer isbad-mouthing me to my business contacts?
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What recourse do I have if my former employer isbad-mouthing me to my business contacts?
Dear (BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL NAME), I am writing to inform you that Mr. (MY NAME) is no longer associated or representing (COMPANY NAME), LLC, as of June 7, 2011. I also understand that a relationship with you and your organization was initially established while he was associated with (COMPANY NAME), LLC and as such, and as the President & CEO, I am offering the full services and support of (COMPANY NAME), LLC, if you so choose. Although I wish (MY NAME) the best of success in his future endeavors, please be advised that the discontinuation of (MY NAME) association was not an amicable one. I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.
Should I speak with a business law attorney regarding this? In Washington County, OR.
Asked on July 26, 2011 Oregon
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
You may have no recourse.
People are allowed to make true factual statements to others, even if they hurt a person. They may also state opinons to others, even if harmful. The other thing that they may not do is make negative false factual statements to third parties--that might be defamation. If it is true that you are no longer associated with the company and that the separation from that company was not an amicable one, you would have no resource against them. Arguably, even if you felt the separation was amicable, since whether something is "amicable" or not is largely a matter of perception or opinion, you would probably not have any recourse. If they state something definitively factually untrue, then you'd have a cause of action. It's always worth consulting with an attorney to discuss the specifics of your situation in details--many attorneys will provide a free initial consultation--but there may be nothing to do in this case.
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