Defamation

Defamation in the workplace happens more often than people realize. It can damage someone’s reputation, cost them a promotion or bonus, and follow them into future career opportunities long after the incident itself. Proving it happened, with a lawyer’s help, is a critical step toward addressing it properly.

A few ways to prevent it:

Put a clear non-denigration and social media policy in place, make sure employees actually know it exists, and connect it to your broader policies on workplace abuse and civility.

Train employees on responsible social media use and on the basic expectation that they conduct themselves honestly, both at work and off the clock.

Keep policies current as technology and the platforms people actually use keep shifting.

Watch both traditional and social media closely for anything that crosses the line.

Document any sign of defamatory conduct as soon as it surfaces.

And remember, the obligation runs both ways: employers also have a duty not to defame their own employees.