What can I do to stop a co-worker’s harrassment?
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What can I do to stop a co-worker’s harrassment?
I work for a large company in a entry level supervisory role. A manager that is 1 level above me, who I have to work with but is not who I directly report to, is monitoring my behavior. He is discussing reasons why I am ineffective with VP’s and my supervisor has told me that she is concerned for my career because of his actions. All of what he is saying is inaccurate. 2 VP’s have stated that the information they are receiving is contradictory to other feedback and my past performance. This has been 2.5 years, through 2 supervisors. I asked for help with no resolve. I need this to stop. Do I have legal recourse?
Asked on January 31, 2011 under Employment Labor Law, Wisconsin
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
IF you have reason to believe that the harassment is prompted by or due to your membership in a specifically protected group or category--e.g. your race, sex, religion, age (over 40), or disability status--then you may have a legal cause of action or recourse. However, if it's just that your coworker doesn't like you or feels it would be to her advantage to get rid of you or damage your career, there is not law against that: coworkers can be nasty, underhanded, deceitful, etc.
IF the person is making false factual--emphasis on "factual"--assertions or statements about you to others, that may give rise toa cause of action for defamation. However, opinions are not actionable, and the mere fact that her information is contradictory to others' information does not itself make it false or defamatory. It must be something is factually untrue to possibly be defamation.
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