Defamation in the Workplace

• Author: Laura M. Franze
• Pages: 493-534

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CHAPTER 29

DEFAMATION IN THE WORKPLACE

BY LAURA M. FRANZE

29:1. INTRODUCTION

29:2. ELEMENTS OF A DEFAMATION CLAIM

A. Overview

1. Injury by Libel

2. Injury by Slander

3. Defamation of a Corporation

4. Statute of Limitations

B. Defamatory Statement

1. Injurious Words Required

2. Defamation Per Se

a. Words Injuring Employee in Occupation

b. Words Imputing a Crime

3. Defamation Per Quod

a. Overview

b. Defamation in Context

c. Innuendo

d. Fact v. Opinion

C. Publication

1. Publication Defined

2. Communication That Is Not a “Publication”

a. Intra-Corporate Communications

b. Consent/Invitation

c. Absolute Privilege

d. Ambiguous Statements

e. Nonverbal Communication

f. Rumors and Gossip

3. Self-Publication

a. Self-Publication Defined

b. Texas Courts Recognizing Self-Publication

c. Texas Courts Rejecting Self-Publication

d. Proving Self-Publication

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D. Injury to Plaintiff’s Reputation

1. Presumed Damages

2. Special Damages

3. Exemplary Damages

4. Damages Under Section 73.001

5. Measuring Damages

29:3. EMPLOYER LIABILITY

A. Statements of Vice Principals

B. Statements of Non-Managerial Employees

29:4. DEFENSES TO DEFAMATION CLAIM

A. Truth

B. Consent/Invitation

1. Overview

2. Bar to Publication or Affirmative Defense

3. Determining Whether Employee Consented

a. Written Consent Form

b. Knowledge or Reason to Know

C. Absolute Privilege

1. Judicial Proceedings

2. Quasi-Judicial Proceedings

D. Qualified Privilege

1. Overview

2. Investigations of Employee Misconduct

3. Internal Communications to Employees

4. Reports of Drug Test Results

5. Communication to Prospective Employers

6. Performance Appraisals

7. Communications to Customers

8. Statements in Criminal Complaint

9. Qualified Immunity for Labor Dispute

10. Public Figures and Union Activity

E. Duty to Provide Information

1. Texas Service Letters Act

2. Report to Labor Union

3. Professional Reporting of Misconduct

F. Preemption and Deferred to Arbitration

29:5. MALICE

A. Defining Malice

B. Proving Malice

C. Summary Judgment

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D. Punitive Damages

APPENDICES

Appendix 29-1 Preventing Defamation Claims in the Workplace