Ask the Lawyer received the following question (paraphrased for easier reading and clarity) from a reader on a legal matter that might be of interest to the entire audience.
Q:
If a manager is disrespectful, rude or mean to a subordinate, can the subordinate sue for defamation of character?
A:
Federal managers are immune from defamation lawsuits from comments they make about their subordinates, so long as the manager was acting within the scope of his or her employment. Based on the limited facts you describe, my believe is that your manager was probably within the scope of employment when the comments were made.
Bill Bransford is managing partner of Shaw, Bransford & Roth, PC.
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