My question involves defamation in the state of: California
First post, great site.
I have a boss (the owner) and one coworker who are each compelled to launch personal attacks on me that, to a rational person, would resemble psychotic breakdowns.
Usually, I will say something that someone doesn't like, such as a truthful comment about someone's hostile attitude, rude behavior or lax attitude, or, sometimes our 'secretary' (Deep Throat) intentionally misconstrues something I say and deliberately but subtly twists it around and promptly trots off to backstab me (and others) so it does the most damage.
The content of these attacks usually involves: a detailed, recursive analysis of my character flaws du jour (and they are apparently endless), mainly my ostensible 'hypersensitivity' to blatant workplace favoritism; a long-winded criticism of my physical imperfections (I have a gut and sometimes it shows when I lean back in my chair--big problem!); accusations of doing and saying things that never happened (the coworker just makes up lies from what I can tell); a reading of the ti leaves wherein I am told what I think based on my facial expressions--the boss thinks he can read my mind, but his insulting amateur psychoanalysis is always 98% wrong; a microanalysis of my daily actions and motives, all of which which are consistently misinterpreted of course; the boss consistently shouting over me; fabricated 'mystery sleights' that I supposedly did to the bosses girlfriend, and much worse.
Most of it is just plain wrong and IMO 95% of it is unjustified. Like, I already know my weak points...
The attacks are vitriolic and personal, way beyond the scope of useful workplace feedback.
There have been a couple of near-confrontations (physical) like when, for instance, he confronted me in the parking lot after work, then when I simply walked back towards him from my car to find out what his latest problem was he said "I'm not scared of you!" and then backed up through the warehouse door like a little girl and picked up a broom or 2x4 or something as if I was threatening him--when he started the whole ridiculous thing! (I'm literally twice his size, BTW.)
These guys both just go into 'snap mode' and I tired of it to the extent that I'd just about rather be terminalted than have to go through another 'psycho'analysis.
Anyway they always make sure there are no witnesses, so how legitimate would it be for me to 'wire' myself with a digital recorder for the next sparkup, and covertly record the festivities? Would the recordings constitute evidence/proof of workplace abuse? It's not as if I'd need to goad either one of them into another episode, I just need to make sure there are always fresh batteries in the recorder. The recording(s) alone may be enought to stop this insanity, of course.
Thanks in advance for any sage advice.
anagramsam

