Your expert advice is greatly appreciated. I have never been in this situation before.
I am a director over approx. 30 people. I have a honest, very hard working person of very high morals & christian faith. I have very high expectations of my employees, but never expect something out of them I do not expect out of myself. I also do not have a problem letting someone go if they are not performing up to expectations in their job. I make sure every person I hire knows exactly what is expected of them before they accept a job in my department.
My problem:
About 1 1/2 yrs. ago, I had an ex-employee that was not performing & also making many false statements about my department, myself, etc. This employee was from this area & knows many locals. Employee found another job within immediate area before we actually terminated him; therefore, "resigned".
This employee has now turned into a disgruntled ex-employee who I just found out has been saying 100% false statements about me for this time & has greatly damaged my reputation as a director/employee of my company & also as a person. Two weeks ago, he actually ask to be present at a board meeting of my company. In a closed meeting, I have been told he made a statement to these people that is 100% false. His intention seems to have only been to harm me at my job...I cannot understand why anyone would state this blatant of a LIE with any other intention. He does not work for our company anymore, but is from this area & was making complaints about me as a "resident" of the town. He now works for a competitor!
I now have a small faction that is believeing this LIE & it could get to the point where I am so uncomfortable I would seek other employment. My job is a very public one.
My questions:
1. What do I do? I have never been in this situation before? I am a very honest person & have never dealt with such a vindictive person before. I don't think it will stop until I have lost my job, or leave my job due to misery.
2. I have done some research & it seems this is 100% slander according to definitions, etc. but if I sued him & won, where does my benefit come from? I have to pay an attorney, he has no obvious assets to be able to pay any damages. So where is it beneficial to me?
3. If it is going to cost me a lot of money & I get nothing to offset those dollars, why sue? How do I stop this without it costing me a fortune that is not recouped?
I cannot sleep at night & am stressed to the max because I feel this is out of control & I cannot do anything about it but stoop to his level & that is NOT my way.
Thank you so much in advance for your advice!

