Defamation of Character
(c) Defamation is the oral or written communication - words of false, unjust statements that harm the reputation of the target and if proven will constitute a tort or a crime.
Section 1 of the Defamation Act 2013 states that ‘a statement is not defamatory unless its publication has caused or is likely to cause serious harm to the reputation of the claimant.’ This prevents claims being brought over trivial statements and it asserts that defamation protects against reputation, not injury to feelings. https://staylegal.co.uk/what-is-defamation
©The intention to harm the reputation of the target and impact their credentials, career and character. Harmful gossip or ill founded rumours, maliciously attack the target and pit co-workers against them. This can be done at all levels in the workplace. At times it is management who pit employees against each other. Usually a lot of the ground work for "defamation of reputation" is carried out behind the target's back before the onslaught of the personal attack by mobbing. Defamation is damaging and creates a toxic atmosphere and renders workplaces psychologically unsafe. The intention is to destroy the career of the target who is coercively forced to leave the workplace. The perpetrators of these actions are usually rewarded and promoted as they are controlling the workplace "purse strings" to benefit their own financial status , personal status without remorse or empathy for destroying another employee's career and life. This harmful experience is so damaging for the target(s) that it often leads to bullycide.
This post is for informational purposes only. The content is not legal advice. The statements and opinions are the expression of the author, and have not been evaluated for accuracy, completeness, or changes in the law.
Defamation in the Workplace - How Can I Prove It?
There are different forms of defamation. However, the most common in the workplace is that of slander. The person will state something false with the impression that the details are true. Those that spread rumours in this manner are seeking to maliciously malign the target and pit others against him or her. These actions can have consequences when they affect what these co-workers believe in his or her character. Defamation that can damage the perceived character of a person can lead to supervisors, managers or the owner demoting or firing the person for little or no reason.
