defamation of character/slander?

[Scott34]

Recently I had to talk with my department manager over an unexcused attendance policy.
The meeting went well and we both left happy, or so I thought. Some two weeks later a foreman at work told some other gossipers about what the manager had said, "watch him for signs of substance abuse". I do not use drugs and live in a failry small community where news travels like wild fire.

I went on vacation the following week and while out for supper some people were asking me what the hell I was doing selling drugs at work, needless to say I was terribly upset. I have lived in this town all my life (34 years) and have small children, and do not need this kind of slanderous gossip floating around and hurting me.

After vacation I set up a meeting with my department manager to ask why this got out into public knowledge, his reply was that the said foreman was demoted to a lower paying job....SO WHAT..the rumors are still there and my reputation is still tarnished from this.

Is there any legal action I can seek to keep this from happening to other employees. And is that a legal action for my employer?

Thank you for any replies and/or help

Still fed up in Iowa

 

[ALawyer]

Sorry to say this, but what you need is your management to understand the embarrassment and hurt this has caused and make good faith efforts to correct the rumor. A suit for defamation rarely would produce good results for you or anyone else. Nor will threats.

However, if there is no immediate response from local management, getting a friend in the chain of command to plead your case may help, or having a lawyer writing to senior management, but not threatening, may help.

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