Workplace Slander

[Jackie2009]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law) KS

When I first started working at a new job, one of my co-workers tried to take over my personal life. It was more than just the work. She wouldn't listen to me and stop it. She thought everything of mine was hers just because she wanted it to be. She would speak and act for me without asking first and she threw my things in the trash without asking a few different times. She smarted off to me that my work was hers. We had the same job position, she was not a boss when she did that.

I met my soul mate when I was working there one day. It felt like we had known each other forever and we had a deep connection from the moment we first met. Neither of us were married, but we were just friends so that it wouldn't interfere with my job. We never did anything bad or wrong. The bosses never told me if they had any rules against it. They didn't have any written rules about it anywhere either.

He came back three months after we first met and everything was fine for a few days. We were still good friends. But then there was a misunderstanding that I tried to fix as soon as possible to prevent any problems. But right when I was just about to do it, this co-worker that took over my life walked by and slandered me. It was so loud that he heard her lies through all the closed doors and windows. She really made him believe that I had said that I never wanted to go near him again and she blamed it all on me. I never said any of that, I didn't have anything to do with what she did. He was deeply hurt and heartbroken. I was too. He never spoke to me again and he left.

My co-worker didn't even ask me first or tell me why she did it so that I could have stopped her from doing it. I tried to tell him the truth a few times, but there's nothing I can do. At first I didn't know just how bad it was. Then I found out that he had moved a few thousand miles away. The co-worker that did this made up jokes and laughed at me, but she put on a false act around the managers so that they felt sorry for her.

I wanted to get away from her verbal abuse and when I tried to walk away from her, she made up a false story that I pushed her and that I was the one assaulting her. So I went to the manager because I thought they would discipline this co-worker. She broke three rules in the company policy handbook. But they refused to discipline her. They told me that whatever she said was only about my work. The truth is, her slander had nothing to do with my work. She had no reason to say anything at all when she did it. The managers told me that they have a rule against being friends with the customers and that our friends and family are not allowed to stay there and that we should be fired if they do. It's a motel. Employees are supposed to be friendly in that business. That was the very first time that they ever told me about such rules. The co-worker should have told me that, but she never did. She didn't even give me a chance to find another job and keep my relationship if they were against it. I tried to find another job as soon as possible, but I couldn't with the way the economy is. I'm still trying to.

Then awhile later, two people were guests at the motel that one of my other co-workers knew. Her local relatives came to visit them and they had a good time when she was supposed to be working. I never did anything as bad as that with my soul mate. We only talked while I kept working. The managers knew what she did, but they never told her that her friends and family are not allowed to stay there and that she's not allowed to be friendly. So what can I do about the slander and bad treatment?What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

[Hot Topic]

Frankly, you sound like a big baby. You claim the co-worker is your persecutor, then you expect her to be your protector.

If your boyfriend was so quick to believe the co-worker over you, he was hardly your "soul mate."

I think you're kind of lucky to still be employed there.

[quincy]

I do not see that you have any legal recourse of any kind.

I think you should start looking for another job. This one is making you entirely too unhappy.

[Jackie2009]

Thanks for your replies. My co-worker is an immigrant from Mexico. I don't know if she is legal or illegal. Most of my co-workers are from there. I'm not an immigrant, but I am close to and friendly with most of them and I speak Spanish. I was friendly to her too. I never did anything bad to her. I just don't believe that someone that recently came to this country has a right to take over my life when she doesn't know me. I do believe that the bosses refused to discipline her because she is from Mexico.

[quincy]

Lies hurt, Jackie, but not all lies can lead to a defamation action. Much much more is needed.

I suggest that you continue to look for a job where you can be happier. There are many employers looking for people who can speak a second language - especially Spanish. I also suggest you try to avoid this coworker as much as possible in the meantime.

Good luck.