false accusation / libel / defamation by former employer
i was contacted by phone by my former manager on october 16th regarding this issue. the person that took my position over (manager for a rental vehicle cleaning/fueling operation) claims that i told him and other former subordinates that it was permitted for employees to fill their gas tanks at the rental car facilities' gas pumps. knowing that this was strictly prohibited (not to mention criminal), i told my former manager that these claims were untrue and that i never told anyone that it was permitted.
i then retrieved a memo sent on october 15th (the day BEFORE this was ever brought to my attention) stating that as a FACT, i told former employees that this was acceptable behavior and that they are currently conducting an investigation into this matter (mind you, they had and still have absolutely no proof that i ever made these statements prior to sending this memo out). it also stated that my former employees would be exonerated from any fault due to the (false!) fact that i gave them incorrect information.
my question is, do i have a case for libel/defamation, seeing as these accusations may lead to possible endangerment of future employment opportunities, as well as possibly jeopardizing my claim for unemployment?
Re: false accusation / libel / defamation by former employer
They do have proof. As you state: "the person that took my position over (manager for a rental vehicle cleaning/fueling operation) claims that i told him and other former subordinates that it was permitted for employees to fill their gas tanks at the rental car facilities' gas pumps." That is proof.
