slander - possible dupl posting

[ausgirl]

What is the name of your state? Texas

I have never used anything like this and not sure what information is needed. I have searched the web for assistance; however, I was not finding what I needed.

I need to know my legal rights or what actions to take assist a co-worker who continues to slander my reputation? I have been with the state agency 13 years.

I am not a petty person and hope I am not taking too much of your time to read this. I want to provide enough facts to help direct me.

Recent infraction: A co-worker told other people within our work place that I was found in a drunken state with a bunch of men when my Manager was looking for me at a conference held in San Antonio. This is an outrageous lie and I have never been drunk in my entire life.

Many of the co-worker's past false comments have been let go so not to stir up trouble (as there is a lot of jealously towards me). I have spoken to my Manager about past and current statements. She (Manager) states she will deal with it and isolate the problem quietly. However, my reputation in the work place is not nor has even been cleared/corrected. Leaving those told the lies to believe the lies. The co-worker only receives a gentle hand tap not to talk about others. The co-worker is not held accountable. What bothers me in that any chance of advancement, promotions, creditability, and so on has and will continue to be tarnished?

I generally do not stand up for myself and I have a quite nature. However, this one I will and am not letting the comment be swept under the rug. A good name is all a person really has in life. I indent to hold a meeting with our HR, Manager, and co-worker so that the comment is placed on record and the co-workers knows I will not hide anymore, so I want to learn what I can about my rights. My Manager stated that the co-worker will deny the claim that she made it, but will phase her questions to let her know to stop talking about others.

I want to know my rights before I go into the meeting next week. If I have no leg to stand on then I will deal with the meeting differently than my current thoughts. I thank you kindly in advance for your time.

 

[cbg]

What ACTUAL DAMAGES have you suffered? Not, people may think poorly of me, but jobs lost, promotions cancelled, raises not granted, that you can directly tie to these comments?

 

[ausgirl]

response to cbg slander

What ACTUAL DAMAGES have you suffered? Not, people may think poorly of me, but jobs lost, promotions cancelled, raises not granted, that you can directly tie to these comments?

The Manager has given co-worker raises and while co-worker and I are equal; co-worker is promoted. The raises I've been given were by the Administrator due to providers and customers knowledging the value they place on me. Proving, well I am not privy to those files. And Management always has a good comeback to my questions of why. So I am probably not of legal assistance to enforce my complaint.

Staff has come to not value my experience /knowledge of my job because of the co-worker's comments of gossip and remarks (which are daily in some manner). Staff withholds needed information to do my job - I have to do triple research to make sure the information I produce for the Commission is accurate. Staff has a click and I understand that; I am paid to do a job not gossip and demean others, but be a professional in what I do. (Malice and petty) Ex: I receive a thank you card from a customer; the mail room will call and tell me; co-worker gathers mail; card is never received by me.

My Manager requires a higher standard of production (mind you that is not a bad thing) of me than other co-workers because of the comments co-worker makes to her. But when the co-workers work is gone through because I need information to do my job; it is poorly done and lacks information (which is required of me). As Manager will make comment to me. It is a form of harassment with no end it seems. I have applied for other positions within, but because of the rumors and comments they shy away (team player attitude). Because I refuse to be a click, I am treated indifferent.

My Manager has asked me not to be so nice to people I assist because it makes the others look bad. Ex: we have a bulletin board where we are to put thank yous' from customers. I was asked to remove mine because the others did not have very many, again we all do a good job, but you need to be a regulator (not nice). I will not lower my standards to not do a good job to uplift others and give the customer bad service or information. The more I exceed to meet the demands placed on me by management, the more strigant they become.

Within our department I am the only one with college experience (I currently take night classes). I have not told staff I am acquiring a degree, this is something private.

It is not a cat fight for me or someone is treated better...I am just tired of being the target because I became too well known (as Management puts it) within the Commission (being that I am only a worker of no importance). It's this ....make her fail harassment. I thought my job to to do well, it makes the Commission and management to look, right.

I do not want to bend your ear....I just need help to know how to fight malicious comments / lies with the law.
I love what I do at my job...I love the service I provide... I enjoy knowing that I helped someone. My apology, I do not wish to waste your time with my writing. I am just seeking options.

I guess I have no leg to stand on.