Help***rumors at work about me ?

Question

I am a supervisor and recently had to write a diciplinary action for an employee that I found sleeping on the job. That employee was suspended for several days. That employee returned to work on Friday night and I am off for the holiday weekend. Another employee called me to inform me that a rumor is floating like wildfire that involves myself and yet another employee who happens to be out on medical leave. The rumor stated that myself and the employee on med-leave were caught in a back storage room together doing sexual things and that I was seen receiving money for said things. After having been there for 6 years nothing of this nature has ever happened to me before. The rumor is completely fabricated and anyone who knows me knows my morals and ethics. I do not have proof at this time who started the rumors but I do feel they were meant to discredit me. I want to confront the person they say started it but I feel that that employee will deny it and then what. I know if I take it to the manager He will say to just ignore it since again at this time I have no proof. There could be several courses of action one would be to file harassment another to get a lawyer. The other person involved in this rumor says they will back me up on whatever I choose to do about this. Another course may be to call human resourses at corporate and present the situation. I could use some help or sound advice from anyone who has been in this type of situation thanks.

Answer 1

You say that nobody that knows you would believe this rumor.

You say that your boss wouldn't think twice about it.

I fail to see the problem here.

If you act as if the rumor bothers you, you've given the malcontent a button that they can push.  You can expect the rumors to multiply exponentially after that.

If you ignore it, it goes away in time and the person learns that you won't respond to that.

So leave it alone.

Answer 2

Check to make sure your State allows recordings,then have an employee that was present at the time in which the accusation was made to record the accuser.

Make sure the person acting on your behalf at least mentions the accusers name and their response to them,its preferred to use their last name,that way if you do consult an attorney on the matters it may give you some proof instead of hear say.good luck.check to make sure if your place of employment has cameras in which recorded such conversations.good luck.

Answer 3

yeah its called libel and you could technically sue them for it but most places of business require you go through the chain of command first. i know because i had to go through something like it at a facility before.  a couple of other employees told a residents family that i wasn't taking care of their mom and that i left her in her own waste all shift.  the family then reported it to the charge nurse and she went to the director of nursing.  i was called into her office and i had a chance to confront all 4 of them about it and it was proven that on that day they said it happened i was on vacation in another city across state.  all ihad to do was show them a receipt from the hotel i stayed at as well as have them pull my timecard to provew i wasn't there that day. they were proven wrong and had to write apologies to me or find somewhere else to work as well as to the family of the resident for lying to them.  

Answer 4

Hm, I'd say suing is a bit too much. I suggest you call human resources and present the problem. Other than that, just like school, it will die out soon! :) Good luck.

Answer 5

You are a supervisor.  Act like one.  You stated that anyone who knows you knows your morals and ethics.  Anyone else is just interested in the rumors because they don't like you.  Being a supervisor is not about being liked.  It is about being above all of the petty things that happen.  Filing a small claims suit will only get you noticed.  

That said, if it continues, contact human resources.  Yes, I have been in the same position and it caused me to give up management.  Everyone I worked with knew the rumors were false, but corporate didn't.  

Just be cool and ignore it.  Then if it doesn't go away or gets worse, contact someone.

Answer 6

File a case in small claims court for defamation. The employee that called and informed you of the rumor will help your case. No attorney is necessary and circumstantial evidence is more than adequate.