Wrongful Termination and False Accusations By Dan Atkerson on September 22, 2019

Office politics can be difficult to deal with. Sometimes the atmosphere around your office becomes toxic, making it an unpleasant place to work. If you have any enemies at work, they might abuse the trust of your co-workers and supervisors and make false claims about you and your behavior at the workplace. These lies could lead to you getting fired.

We at the Law Offices of Dan A. Atkerson take wrongful termination seriously, no matter what promoted it. We stand with employees in the Allen, Plano, and Frisco, TX area who have been mistreated at work, whether by colleagues or supervisors. Below, we would like to offer some insight into how false allegations can lead to the loss of your job.

What False Accusations May Entail

False accusations could include anything from allegations of bigotry and misconduct at work to gossip about behaviors that affect job performance. A person may be falsely accused of using racial epithets, for examples, or for having inappropriate relationships with supervisors. A person could also be falsely accused of sexual harassment or discrimination when no such incident occurred. Some lies are about unethical or immoral behaviors that violate company policies.

All claims of misconduct at the workplace must be taken seriously, which is why these false claims are so poisonous. Lies like this prey on well-meaning people who are trying to do the right thing.

Rumor, Innuendo, and Gossip as Forms of Harassment

Keep in mind that spreading rumors and gossip can be considered forms of harassment at the workplace. This is especially true if the gossip undermines your ability to perform your job, or has a harmful effect on your reputation in the office and with clients/customers. This is why many companies have policies against gossip at the workplace and spreading rumors.

Report Rumors and False Information to HR

If you catch wind of any rumors or innuendo about you going around the office, be sure to report it to HR. This can help prevent false allegations from spreading and costing you your job. Still, there are times when reporting these rumors falls on deaf ears or is too little and too late.

Document What Transpired

It’s of the utmost importance that you document everything that happened to you regarding the harmful gossip and your termination. If you have email or chat logs regarding the false accusations, be sure you have copies. Take notes or memos about the allegations and what exactly happened. Times and dates can be helpful for documenting how long this harassment has occurred.

By documenting the accusations against you and having a paper trail, you’ll have evidence to present to an attorney or the proper authorities. This can help prove the allegations to be false, and aid you in seeking damages from your former employer.

How an Employment Lawyer Can Help

When false allegations cost you your job, it’s crucial to have skilled attorneys on your side to advocate for you. Employment law attorneys can look over all of the incidents documented and determine if you have a worthwhile wrongful termination case. Your lawyer will then help build a strong case and ensure proper workforce agencies are contacted about your incident.

Ultimately, our goal is to help you receive damages for lost wages, impacted future earnings, and emotional pain and suffering you may have experienced as a result of the false claims against you and the subsequent loss of employment.

Contact Our Law Firm

For more information about holding employers accountable for wrongful termination, be sure to contact a trusted employment law attorney. WE are here to help people in and around Allen, Plano, and Frisco. The team at the Law Offices of Dan A. Atkerson can be reached by phone at (214) 617-1327.