Can an employer sue a worker for leaving a bad review of the company?

There’s currently a lawsuit case in progress brought by an employer against a former employee who posted a negative review about the company online. Of course, those smart enough will use a bogus email account and post online at a library far from home while using an Internet guest pass, rather than risk a review site being forced to divulge a negative posting IP address. But is there really a legal liability for posting a negative review?

Well, sounds like you have a lot of experience covering your tracks. As far as if there is any legal liability for posting something negative about an employer, yes, if what you post is demonstrably false and injurious to the company’s business and reputation.

If you claim something as fact that is not true — let’s say, you claim the company is a front for a drug cartel that launders money — then you certainly open yourself up to liability. You can, however have an opinion. I would stick with the usual complaints to be safe — like, the managers stink and the company doesn’t care about its employees.

What do you think of the new Clean Slate Law that New York state has signed into law, which seals arrest records from prospective employers?

The new act allows certain criminal records to be sealed years after an individual is sentenced or released from incarceration, if that individual is not subsequently convicted of an additional criminal act. Most felonies, such as terrorism, homicide and sex crimes, are excluded from the act. Additionally, law enforcement, school officials, prosecutors and courts will still be able to access any individual’s full criminal record. In general, this is a positive step for giving certain individuals a real second chance to rejoin society as a productive citizen. The best protection against repeat offenses for them is to have a job and path to a better future.

Gregory Giangrande has over 25 years of experience as a chief human resources executive. Hear Greg Wed. at 9:35 a.m. on iHeartRadio 710 WOR with Len Berman and Michael Riedel. Email: [email protected]. Follow: GoToGreg.com and on Twitter: @GregGiangrande