If i was let go of a job, is it illegal for my boss to send out a letter saying why i was let go?- privacy?

Question

i was fired from my job as a dance instructor. we didnt see eye to eye on things. she told me i had the worst attitude in the world, i thought she was rude, so on and so on, but i wanted all of my former students addresses so i can send them letters of apologies incase i did anything wrong, or rude or unprofessional. she told me that i wasnt allowed to contact these people for 15 years and then she sent out a rude letter to all of the students and their parents saying why i was fired, saying that i didnt know how to take direction, and that i think i know it all, and just being out right rude. i feel that she had no right saying that stuff. most of those people had no problems with me, and called me after they recieved that email to see if i was ok. they didnt understand why i was let go. and those people who didnt have a problem with me before may have one now because of that letter she wrote, and i felt like that was an invasion of my privacy. is there anything i can do about this? like is it illegal for her to do that? do i need to get a lawyer? i have been so depressed about this, and i cant even show my face over at the studio now, because she has made me out to be a horrible person. i am so sick over it, i need to know what to do about this situation. please help...

Answer 1

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Answer 2

Contact a lawyer and ask if you have a case to sue for libel or slander and/or restraint of trade.

A pay-on-win lawyer will take the case if he thinks you'll win and will take a cut.

But first, take a step back and consider who's right. Do you have a terrible attitude? Do you fail to take direction? Or is she really a rude, unpleasant, vindictive person? It would be good to work this out before you head into court.

She does sound like she massively crossed the line by your account, but you should be cautious about drawing conclusions on matters that you're so heavily involved in that it's hard to be rational about. Lawyers are good at evaluating these things on a rational basis.

Having seen some of the advice below, I would advise strongly against contacting any of your students or students parents. That's probably a way to mess up a case you might have. Talk to a lawyer first.

Answer 3

The possible actions you have are for defamation of character, specifically, libel and slander.  The non-compete clause you mentioned would be in something you signed, and would not be legal in California and would be severely limited in several other states.

If what she said about you is true, you would not be able to successfully pursue a libel or slander case, since these based on untrue statements that harm you, and made either in writing or verbally.  

If you feel you are seriously harmed, see a lawyer to discuss the case and find out if it is worthwhile for the lawyer to take on a contingency basis, where they receive a portion of the damages, but only if you win.  

Answer 4

I am no lawyer or anything but I know enough that it is illegal. :(

Answer 5

I don't often say this but I would see a lawyer. I think you might have a case here. Do you have a copy of this letter and do you know how many of these letters were sent out? It seems to me that she has effectively stopped you from getting other employment and her

actions were with malicious intent. Get that information and contact a lawyer.