Ask Me Help Desk - Can I sue for slander?

I am a manager for a multi practice medical clinic, there is a manager (who self imposed the title Regional Manager) who is constantly causing problems with the company via gossip and slander. Just recently, I was accused of drinking on the job by another employee who for whatever reason can't stand me (personality difference I suppose), this employee however is buddy buddy with the Regional Manager... when I was blindsided by this, the regional manager and the owner of the company were in the room and another manager was asked to be present who I was told was there as a "witness". I was written up for something I did NOT do, I offered at once to take a drug & alcohol test but they told me it wasn't necessary as "they have never noticed this themselves". The company has been looking to cut staff and I believe this is a witch hunt. The company has a long standing record of NOT paying unemployment to employees they have fired. They have challenged and won EVERY time. As a result of this accuzation against me, my creditablity with the company has suffered greatly. Because of this regional manager and her gossip all the employees I have under me now question EVERYTHING and go over my head. I have approached the owner of the company several times regarding this regional manager and her loose lips and he won't hear of getting rid of her because of her age (she is 61 years old and lived in this town her entire life). He told me himself that he fears because she knows so many people in the community she could impact his business in such a way that he couldn't recover. Needless to say, in the 4 years I have been here 17 support staff and 6 providers have left because of her gossip or slander. She continues to speak in a negative tone and condesending way toward me... she is NOT my immidiate boss but has much influence with the owner of the company and will frequently fire people she feels steps on her toes. I have 6 witnesses as to my physical state/condition and they are willing to make verbal and written statements. I fear that I will have difficulty getting a new job because this regional manager does NOT abide by the law when it comes to verification of employment... I have heard her myself tell prospective employers why an employee was let go or why she thinks they left. Do I have anything here??

You might just be the witch hunt winner of the week. I would contact an attorney and talk over your options with him/her before saying or doing anything more as Ms.BigShot is definitely going to choose a witch hunt winner shortly and you don't want to keep coming up on her radar screen.

You may do better in trying to find other employment as soon as possible and getting away from that situation as it is definitely a no win scenerio considering her age and considering you've already spoken to the owner about her and he doesn't want to rock the boat with her and her big mouth. I've seen this type of "employee" over and over again in workplaces and the only remedy is to leave as soon as possible before you get fired. Yes, I know it's sad, but in the real world sometimes it's not what you know but who you know that counts.

I hate to say this, because I agree you have been wronged, but given the situation making any fiurther waves is not going to be in your best interests.

What I would suggest is that you you get your witnesses to sign a statement in front of a notary to the effect that they were with you during the time the accusations says you were drinking and that they saw no sign of it.

Then write a cover letter stating that you dispute the facts reported by the employee (do NOT mention the regional manager) and that you want this letter and the attachment entered into your personnel file if the accusation is also going to be entered.

I would not take it any further than that.

I have been in a similar situation and after I got one rumor stopped, another one popped up, and then another. Unfortunately, unless you have the power to stop the rumors, you end up losing out, especially when politics is involved.

I would look for a new job and check with a lawyer to see if you have a case. Leaving the job without any rumors following you sounds best to me.

In order to make a slander suit stick, you have to prove real damages. Have you actually lost your job? Have you suffered a substantial cut in wages? Form the tone of your thread it doesn't sound like it. That said, while this regional manager may be in the wrong in principle, I think that you almost have to wait and let this problem fester a little more before you're in a position to take any legal action. If you actually lose your job or are demoted to something paying a lot less than your current position and you can demonstrate that it was on the basis of false information then you may have a slander case. In the meantime, whenever you get written up, whether you think you deserve it or not, always write a rebuttal and submit that along with whatever typically goes with a "write-up."

You can sue someone for the color of their hair. Winning however is another matter.

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causing problems with the company via gossip and slander.

That's a bit vague

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Accused of drinking on the job

Being a medical type person I'm sure you're aware there are blood tests for that -- to exonerate you

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I offered at once to take a drug & alcohol test but they told me it wasn't necessary as "they have never noticed this themselves".

Seems like some details are missing from your story as this is an unlikely scenario

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The company has a long standing record of NOT paying unemployment to employees they have fired.

Do you have access to documentation proving this?

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She continues to speak in a negative tone and condesending way toward me

Not illegal

Being mean is not a crime

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I have 6 witnesses as to my physical state/condition and they are willing to make verbal and written statements.

Meaning what?

"I offered at once to take a drug & alcohol test"

in writing?