Can I get into legal trouble for writing about the personal flaws of my management?

Question

So I've spent the past 16 months working at a local Wendy's. The majority of my time there has been a great experience. Decent management, mutual respect and healthy relationships between management and crew members, reasonable thought out management practices that attempted to benefit the restraunt and all those involved in it as a whole, etc.

Though the past four months have truely sucked. I'm leaving soon (I have to because I'm moving) and would like to mention in my blog the rude, narssisistic, greedy personalty of the franchise owner. The nasty, disprespectful attitudes of upper and corporate management (and the problems they had with rage/anger/lust that they brought into the work place on a daily basis). The hypocritical, rash, and immature behavior of lower management. The disregard and belittlement of long time, dedicated, competent workers.

So, basically, I want to expose both the personal and management flaws of the people working for that Wendy's. Like I said, everything was not so bad until a few months ago... then everything went all fascist.

I'm just wondering if talking about the personal flaws of my superiors on the internet can get me in trouble or not.

Answer 1

You can get in trouble for slander (you'd need a lot of proof that it's not slander) either legally- they can sue you for slander and walk away with some of your hard-earned cash, or any future employer can look you up on the internet and see your blog. It's becoming common practice for employers to look up all future employees for any negative photographs or anything written that can have a negative impact on their potential hire. Don't do it. Say what you want to your friends and family, but don't put it in writing for the world to see!

Answer 2

Even if what you say is true, there might be good reason to convict you for defammation of character.  Don't be malicious about what you say.  If you say something, have a reason for saying it other than to simply hurt the reputation of the person/people of whom you are speaking.  

BUT, It is best to take the high road, keep you mouth shut and get a different job.  That way, you can actually capitalize on the time that you invested in that job and maintain good references. Do you really think that you won't need them?  Do you really think that it will improve your lot in life to go around speaking ill of others?  It will not -- unless maybe you are Nancy Grace.  But then a lot of people would prefer to just flip the channel when they see you.

Use your sense and just get out of that place into a better situation.  Chances are that there will be people to complain about there and anywhere else though.  That's one of the reasons it is called work.

Answer 3

If you put all this stuff on your blog you're just asking for trouble.  You have to remember that a blog isn't really as private as we think it is.  People can get at it, so you never know but that someone you might work with could see what you've written and then blow the whistle on you.  There are some things better left unshared with the world.  Besides that, you wouldn't want to get a reputation as a gossip.  

Answer 4

Can I get into legal trouble for writing about the personal flaws of my management?

YES, probably wouldn't but it is a possibility.

You are assuming that what you write in your blog is of any importance to the ownership and management and in all reality they probably don't care what you think. Most people who would read it will also not care what you think. This would appear to anyone who was not already apprised of ALL the facts and circumstances as just a petty ex-employee ranting.

All this will accomplish is make you look small minded and vindictive and possibly cost you a ton in legal expenses.

Answer 5

If you are able to prove everything you say then you'll be okay as long as you can afford to defend yourself in court.  Frankly, if I were you I'd just bite by tongue and move on.  It's cheaper and less expensive (as in lawyers are expensive).

Answer 6

lol thought I was the only one, those district managers are ungrateful, knit picking, useless d*cks, lol the mentality we have as crew for them is "they hate us, we hate them"