Former Friend Shared My Personal Secrets

[larrydoane101]

My question involves an injury that occurred in the state of: Indiana; Not sure of how to handle this situation and it is very complicated. I had a friend and this friend knew all my secrets and things I would not want othersa to know about myself or my family. We later worked together and still continue to work together. We have had a falling out and he has began telling coworkers and mutual friends things I would not like them to know. I asked him to stop and even took this to management and they advised him to not discuss personal matters at work. He continues to do so and the things he is saying are true but at the same time have a negative impact on how other coworkers view me as a person. I have one again via text message asked him to stop and his reply was he could say whatever he wanted. How do I stop this? He is harrassing me and doing whatever he can to get to me because pretty much I won't hang out with him anymore. I would get a restatining order but since we work together I'm not sure how that would work. Please help because he has me on the brink of insanity!!!

[aardvarc]

If what he's saying is true, there's no case for libel. if he's discussing personal matters at work, any disciplinary measure or lack thereof is up to the employer. Generally speaking, you can't stop people from talking about you.

[LawResearcherMissy]

Concur with Aardvarc.

You're not being harassed, you're simply being talked about, and truthfully at that. You have no basis for a restraining order - he's not posing any kind of danger to you.

If your co-workers are questioning you about his talking out of school, your best option is to roll your eyes, sigh "this, still?", and change the subject.

[Beth3]

You have no legal means to prevent your former friend from telling others things you shared with him in confidence.

What he is doing doesn't constitute harassment nor can you get a restraining order that requires him to keep his big yap shut. You've asked him to stop and he won't. I'm afraid there's nothing more you can do.

[AmandaStrange]

Unfortunately for you, what he is doing is not illegal. Sounds like everything are personal facts, while seemingly slanderous, have no protection by the law.

[Riply]

I'd have to concur with everyone else. Truth is not actionable.

I had a supervisor once who said it best. Another person had made comments about a fellow co-worker that were true, but not in a very good light. The supervisor advised him to 'let it go, you're just the flavor of the month. Next month, it will be someone else'.