Being called a racist on the job.

I am a loan officer, I often need to deny loans to people of every ethnic origin. When a person states (quite loudly on occasion), in front of coworkers or customers, that I am rasist (which is very wrong and insulting) and that was my sole reason for denying the loan. Is that considered libel or slander or just "blowing off steam"?
Thank you for your help.

[This message has been edited by Kevin (edited March 31, 2000).]

It depends if this person called you a racist as an emotional outburst or has been calling you a racist as part of a well designed act to get you into trouble.

If its the first, no it is not slander.

If its the second, then it is slander if the person knew it was false and was stating it as a matter of fact.