Can I hold my former employer responsible for libel/slander?

[liamkshaw]

My former employer terminated my employment about a month ago, and told me that the reason was because they were "unhappy with my performance." As a result, I applied for unemployment benefits with the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES). A few days ago, I received a notice from the DES saying my benefits were denied because my employer reported to them that I was "discharged because of falsifying my employment application or other documents related to obtaining or maintaining employment." Not only is my resume 100% factual and accurate, my employer made NO such remark to me when I was terminated. Do I have a case for a libel lawsuit?

 

[cbg]

No. The fact that your employer did not say anything about it to you is immaterial, and comments he makes to the unemployment commission are not actionable.

You are, however, free to appeal the unemployment decision and use the fact that the employer never mentioned the alleged falsification to you as part of your defense.