What are my rights?

[Crushedfeelings]

What is the name of your state? Idaho
I have recently been the victim of office defamation. Is it ethical on my employers part to talk to my co-workers about my personal/criminal history? Can he discuss such sensitive information without my consent? My employer wasn't even going to mention the situation to me, untill I walked into a room that he and 2 of my co-workers were discussing information about my criminal background. After confronting my employer I had my complete background information faxed to him, to prove the accusation was false. What should I do now? My employer acts like nothing happened and he told me not to be upset, and to get passed it. How do I handle this situation? My employer and co-workers will not divulge the source of the alligations so I can confront that person who is spreading such horrible alligations about me.

 

[BelizeBreeze]

YOu've GOT to be kidding right? Your criminal record is PUBLIC INFORMATION.

And no, it is not illegal to discuss it at work, on the stree corner or anywhere else.

 

[Crushedfeelings]

What are my rights? reply

I understand that criminal records are PUBLIC RECORD!!!! But, what if you have no criminal record. Is it still okay for an employer to tell co-workers you did something you didnt do?

 

[BelizeBreeze]

Is it ethical on my employers part to talk to my co-workers about my personal/criminal history?

That doesn't sound like you DON'T have a criminal record. Now, either come back here with ALL relevant facts, or step off.

 

[JETX]

I understand that criminal records are PUBLIC RECORD!!!! But, what if you have no criminal record. Is it still okay for an employer to tell co-workers you did something you didnt do?

And now for a CORRECT answer.....

If the claims made against you are truly false, then the person making them COULD be liable for defamation. However, your post also says that you have not been damaged. You FAX'd the truth to your employer who "acts like nothing happened and he told me not to be upset, and to get passed it."
Absent damages, there is little you can really do. The problem here is that you will surely be damaged (by your own conduct) if you were to pursue this. The damage could be to the 'stability' of the office and certainly to your bank account. In order to even start a case against 'whoever' (you don't know) will cost you several thousand dollars..... with little or no chance of success (in my opinion).

My advice is to do as your employer suggested.

 

[BelizeBreeze]

I understand that criminal records are PUBLIC RECORD!!!! But, what if you have no criminal record. Is it still okay for an employer to tell co-workers you did something you didnt do?

And THAT was clearly NOT part of your ORIGINAL post.

 

[JETX]

And THAT was clearly NOT part of your ORIGINAL post.

It actually was. From the ORIGINAL post: "After confronting my employer I had my complete background information faxed to him, to prove the accusation was false."

 

[BelizeBreeze]

It actually was. From the ORIGINAL post: "After confronting my employer I had my complete background information faxed to him, to prove the accusation was false."

Even I admit when I'm wrong...
although begrudgingly...