Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in Colorado

Defamation of Character at Work

A girl I work with, and dated in the past, is bad mouthing me at work to my co-workers. Is it slander or libel (through e-mail) if she has said personal things about me? She hasn't actually lied about anything but I think she is being malicious by giving detailed information about my personal life from when we dated. I've tried researching this on the internet and need to know, is it defamation if she hasn't lied?


Asked on 7/20/07, 1:55 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Philip Rosmarin Rosmarin Law Firm

Re: Defamation of Character at Work

No; you can't defame a person by telling the truth about him.

You may, however, have an action in intentional infliction of emotional distress, but the distress must be severe.

Finally, there may be a cause of action for invasion of privacy, because she recklessly disclosed private facts, apparently to a wide audience of your co-workers. The disclosure must be highly offensive to a reasonable person. You must, though, have suffered damages (almost always financial); hurt pride will not be enough.

Your best course of action is probably to let the girl hang herself with her colleagues (nobody really likes a bad-mouther), and date outside the office -- unless of course you work at a Hooters.

Good luck.

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Answered on 7/21/07, 2:19 am


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