Legal Question in Employment Law in Washington

libel

I work for a public agency. I represent members of my department as their guild representative. I have a poor to say the least working relationship with the person who is an elected official. I have been disciplined for performing my duties as a representative. This has been negotiated upon filing an unfair labor practice, which was settled to my benefitt. I recently grieved an action taken by my employer and again was subjected to comments such I am ''unfair and unethical.'' This is just the icing on the cake. It was said that I feel its ok for people to break the law, which in my profession is totaly wrong. These documents are public if some one wanted to file for freedom of information which concerns me greatly. This information was placed into my personel file but removed in order to settle the ULP, via a MOU. I would like to know if i have a case for libel as the elected person continues to make accusations which are untrue and could hurt my continued employment witht his municipalitie.


Asked on 10/09/08, 7:15 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Susan Beecher Susan L. Beecher, Atty at Law

Re: libel

Defamation cases are not easy to push through. You have to prove more than just that the statements were made.

This does not mean you don't have any recourse, but it does mean that the details matter, and I would need to know more than what you can squeeze into a lawguru posting.

You may also have recourse on other grounds, since this would appear to be retaliation for your labor activities.

Start with the guild and see what they might be able to do to help. If that doesn't work, it might be worth your while to sit down with a labor law attorney and see if any relief is available.

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Answered on 10/09/08, 11:29 pm


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