Legal Question in Employment Law in Maryland

On 22 October 2012, the vice president of the company I currently work for (who is also an owner of the company) sent an email to the entire company that detailed a discussion the three owners were having regarding management issues. Within the email, the following statement was made, "I mentioned we could eliminate $XXK for {Employee} who is unhelpful, rude and actually an idiot with no people skills. I cannot believe that he was even hired". I am wondering if any legal action could be taken regarding this email, as he recklessly inflicted emotional distress and has made the work environment hostile, which will cause me (the employee) to leave?


Asked on 10/25/12, 4:59 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Dipo Akin-Deko Akin-Deko Professional Services Firm PLLC

You may have a cause of action for defamation but that will be very difficult to litigate as you would have to show they made a false statement, it was communicated to a third party and their actions damaged your reputation. The damage aspect would be the most difficult.

As far as hostile work environment or intentional infliction of emotional distress you would probably fail legally. Hostile work environment is generally attached to discrimination cases based on race, sex/gender, ethnicity, disability. Hostile work environment outside of that is generally not actionable.

Intentional infliction requires extreme and outrageous act by the individual. Most likely this email would not rise to that level.

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Answered on 10/25/12, 8:46 am


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