I am really angry

[JessW]

Hi guys.  As yo can guess from my post subject I am really really really angry and could do with your acute collective thoughts on something (let's say it is hypothetical at this stage).

Have been in my new job for the last 8 weeks.

Question is:  What do you do (apart from deny it) if your line manager tells you someone heard part of a conversation relating to the theft of something from a previous job and have attributed that conversation to you?

Looking forward to your responses, and know full well if that is how it is going to start that this is not the company I thought it was as a supposed intelligent trainee lawyer should not go round saying stuff like that - can you spell defamation?

J

[misslynn]

Not sure I completely understand, are they saying that you were a part of a theft or just part of a conversation discussing a theft?  This is an extremely poor case of a manager participating in gossip and yes, defamation of character definitely applies here.

Dot your i's and cross your t's, and best of luck.

[JessW]

No! The completely unfounded, pack of lies allegation is that I stole a laptop.  No truth, no proof, all on an "I heard" basis.

[bluefire21]

Ok, so let me see if I understand this.  Your manager heard from someone else that you "stole" a laptop from your previous job?  Was the job with another company or another department in this company?  I think that makes a difference in how you would handle it.  


Ellen in TX

[raindance]

Any dishonesty on your part would, I am sure, have been uncovered before now and you would have had a little visit from the boys in blue by now!  

I would write to your line manager and say that you refer to a conversation with him/her on such-and-such a date when he/she made the following allegation and ask for clarification in writing. Make sure that you copy your letter to HR or your line manager's boss, too.  Second or third hand gossip just won't wash - proof is needed or, at the very least, retraction and apology.

This is a very serious matter, Jess, and I advise you to take it seriously as this sort of tittle-tattle, if not nipped in the bud right now, can ruin your reputation.

Let us know how you get on.

Best wishes,

Raindance

[Jackie G]

I'm  not sure it does matter whether you changed companies or not.

I think you need to set the record straight and fast.

If you are in a new company (which I think you said you were before) then why did they hire you if you have a record of theft?!!!  if same company, they will know (or should) know the story, or can easily verify it - or not.

Ok, here's what I would do:

Confront the person who spread the story that .... they heard.  Be nice, get their side of it too, just in case there's lots of misunderstandings going on.

Then set the record straight.  As it's a legal firm, I'd be very careful about how you say this, but you could make it clear that you will take relevant legal action all the way to a conclusion if the story continues to circulate.

Ask him/her to set the record straight with everybody.

Your manager would, at this point - I hope - come out and offer you a complete and unreserved apology.

The point about putting things in writing is good, but you must do all the confrontational stuff in person - follow it up in writing so you have a record.

You need to decide, Jess, if you want to stay in this job.  This will have a bearing on exactly how you handle this.  But you need to clear it up fast, today, tomorrow latest.  Make it your priority and make sure everyone knows it's your priority, and make them make it their priority too.

Good luck - no doubt you will, but please let us know how you get on.

Jackie, Peer Moderator
www.iqps.org

Edited by jackie on 25/09/06 03:20 PM.

[gee4]

Wow - just reading this.  Please let me know the outcome.  Start of my 6th week here so I know how I would feel.

Do you know anyone in the company who has connections with your previous employer?  Is there someone who knows of you and somehow a story has been fabricated?  Hopefully they have you mixed up with someone else.

Think you spelt defamation correctly.

[bluefire21]

I agree with what everone else has said.  The only think I'd add is that if you found out this rumor originated from somewhere in the ranks of your previous employer, please nip it in the bud there also.  I'd hate for you to lose a reference from a good job because of a rumor some low-life decided to create.  It may not matter now, but in a couple of years, that rumor may become "truth" because it wasn't corrected immediatly.  


Ellen in TX

[JessW]

Not the same company or group.  Nobody from the old firm works here.

[bluefire21]

Gosh J,

I hope you're able to straighten everything out.  Keep us updated.  


Ellen (sending you a cyber hug)  in TX

[donnap99]

I agree with Jackie's advice. Please let us know of the resolution. Hugs!


DonnaP99

[msmarieh]

Hmm... very serious stuff... If it were me...

I'd have a sit down meeting with that line manager and state: My reputation is very important to me and it is critical that it remain unblemished. I have a real problem with this false rumor that is being spread about me and I would like you and I to meet with the person who told you this malicious lie so that I can get the full story and correct this misimpression immediately. I have never stolen anything from any employer and I want this on the official record. If this person is not willing to meet with us. then I think it is imperative that a full apology be issued immediately.

Marie

[countrigal]

Late, but I agree with everything everyone previously said... and especially Marie's way of handling this one-on-one and getting the "tattler" involved too.  Very necessary.  You never know who knows whom, and there is quite possibly someone in this new company who knows someone from your previous company and got this story from there... or they're just being malicious and starting unsubstantiated rumors in the hopes of getting you canned for whatever reason.  Either way, you need to get this straightened out completely, all the way to the originator if possible.  Perhaps you could even get a letter/statement from your previous boss stating that you have never stolen anything from them.  Something in writing now could help down the road if this comes up again, especially if during a new job search.

Best wishes... and Cyber Hugs!!

CountriGal
Peer Moderator