Legal Question in Employment Law in California
Libel
If i send the same letter to every employee in an entire company, and the letter says some pretty harsh things about one person in that company is that libel?
Is it ok for me to CC an every employee with the letter?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Libel
To send a letter to all employees while criticising only one could be libel. It would be very unwise to do this. If you need to correct an employee do it alone with the employee or in the presence of other supervisors. Do not make it public, and do not copy anyone other than those with a definable need to know. Any writings should be directed to the employee, his personell file and the employees supervisors - no one else.
Good management would dictate that you never admonish an employee in front of his/her peers. All criticism should be in private. Public criticism only brings poor moral and resentment.
Re: Libel
It is only libel if it is untrue and derogatory. However, such an action can be the grounds for a lawsuit on other grounds, not just libel.