Legal Question in Employment Law in Minnesota
Former Employer Thinks I'm sabatoging her company
I was recently laid of by my former employer. There is only was only myself and another person besides my boss that worked there full time. Her business is going under and now I think she wants to blame me. She has been saying bad things about me and the one thing that concerns me the most is the she was so worried about me quitting because I'm the one that started and implemented everything for her. Over the last year she has signed an extra paycheck for me a month and I was the person that wrote out the checks but she would sign. She didn't want to pay taxes on this extra check so didn't want me run it through the systems. I would try and she would go in and delete it. Now, I'm worried she may tell authorities that I was embezzling or whatever it would be. Since she signed all these checks does she have any legal way she could get me in trouble?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Former Employer Thinks I'm sabatoging her company
I am concerned about any behavior that may be illegal. You could be
charged with illegal activities as a co-defendant. I recommend you
become a "whistleblower" by reporting her activities to the Minn. Dept of Labor at once.
Some of her "bad mouthing" may become defamation. The things said must be false, and harm your reputation. (If no-one believes what she has said, you are not harmed).
Further, opinions such as "she is not a team player" do not fit into the defamation definition. It must be a falsehood such as "she is a thief"
when you are not.
I am assuming that you have applied for and received unemployment. I
do a free initial consultation regarding steps to take if you have not
done so. SUE CHAMBERS
Susan Stevens Chambers
Chesley, Kroon, Chambers, Harvey & Carpenter
75 Teton Lane
Mankato, Minn. 56001
(507)625-3000
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Re: Former Employer Thinks I'm sabatoging her company
You should not take any action until you review the entire situation with an experienced business law attorney.
You may be entitled to unemployment benefits, and you should report all income on your tax returns.
There are other important issues you present which should be addressed.