Q: (Utah) I was terminated due to attendance at my job, and my boss contacted my cohabitates to inform them.
For background, I cohabitate(d) with my girlfriend and her parents. With my termination, this supervisor notified my girlfriend’s parents before I had the opportunity to repose & break the news myself (this is in the span of less than 24 hours.) This has resulted in my displacement from their home & ending of my relationship. Neither parent was listed as an emergency contact, and I believe this was done purely out of malice. Do I have any recourse in this matter?
A:
You should consult with an attorney in Utah. Each state has different laws regarding communications with others. If someone says or writes something false, the publisher can be held liable for damages caused by the defamation of character (libel or slander). Many states also allow a cause of action for invasion of privacy. Since this is state specific, you should contact a local attorney to see if you have a claim worth pursuing.
Good luck.
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