I told someone's employer about an employee's Reddit account who harassed me. Others who now know on Reddit are saying I can get sued for libel?

[OhioRedditThrowaway]

Jurisdiction

Ohio

This is a long story I hope to make short. I've been active on Reddit for the past 4 years and now the drama between me and those who harassed me got out of control 3 days ago. For years, I've tried to get support from others on the site but got severe pushback.

After I contacted the police in my area, they said they can't do anything unless there's a violent threat towards me. So, I took matters into my own hands and contacted someone's employer via a Contact Us form so someone else could hold him accountable for his behavior towards me. After I mentioned it and others pushed back, someone who is apparently an investigator in real life compiled all of my old Reddit accounts and archive links all in one place.

Is it true that I can get sued for libel or tortious interference with employment? I don't think that's true since I don't know if the guy got fired (which I didn't want at all) and I didn't say anything false either since he made a post with his dating profile that was his LinkedIn profile picture image. He's privated his LinkedIn and deleted all of his Reddit posts but they can be pulled up in the archive.

The guy whose employer I contacted is in Oregon. Is there any grounds he can sue me even if nothing happens to my job? How can I defend myself given that I used my last resort?

 

[cbg]

Coming to you straight from HR:

Employers do not like being pulled into their employees' drama. I can see this going two ways. We will call the person whose employer you contacted, Joe,

In one scenario, and this is the one you are hoping for, trust me: the employer says, I don't have time for this - as long as it's not interfering with work this complaint is going in the circular file, electronically speaking. I'm not going to do anything about it and I'm not going to tell Joe that he's got someone trying to get him in trouble.

In the other scenario, and you do not want this one to happen, the employer says, If Joe can't keep his personal life out of work he's history. The employer then pulls Joe into his office or into HR, shows him what you submitted, and tells him that either Joe makes you stop dragging the employer into this or Joe is history. In an unlikely but not impossible variation, Joe is fired on the spot.

Joe is then free to take whatever legal action he can convince a lawyer to take against you since you interfered with his employment. A lawyer can correct me if I'm wrong but in this case, I don't think it makes any difference whether what you said was true or not. He may or may not win a lawsuit but I wouldn't imagine that Joe would let you getting him fired stand. Even if everything you said is true. Even if you didn't want him to get fired.

There is NO chance whatsoever that the employer will "hold him accountable" for what he did to you., NO chance. Do not even imagine that he will. Joe may or may not have issues with his employment but if he does, it will not be because of what he did to you; it will be because of what you did to him.

You did a STUPID thing. If you have not actually done it so far, I would strongly recommend that you not do so. If you have already done it, then pray that my first scenario (which I acknowledge is the more likely) is the one that goes down. But I cannot in all honestly tell you that the second is impossible.

 

[OhioRedditThrowaway]

Coming to you straight from HR:

Employers do not like being pulled into their employees' drama. I can see this going two ways. We will call the person whose employer you contacted, Joe,

In one scenario, and this is the one you are hoping for, trust me: the employer says, I don't have time for this - as long as it's not interfering with work this complaint is going in the circular file, electronically speaking. I'm not going to do anything about it and I'm not going to tell Joe that he's got someone trying to get him in trouble.

In the other scenario, and you do not want this one to happen, the employer says, If Joe can't keep his personal life out of work he's history. The employer then pulls Joe into his office or into HR, shows him what you submitted, and tells him that either Joe makes you stop dragging the employer into this or Joe is history. In an unlikely but not impossible variation, Joe is fired on the spot.

Joe is then free to take whatever legal action he can convince a lawyer to take against you since you interfered with his employment. A lawyer can correct me if I'm wrong but in this case, I don't think it makes any difference whether what you said was true or not. He may or may not win a lawsuit but I wouldn't imagine that Joe would let you getting him fired stand. Even if everything you said is true. Even if you didn't want him to get fired.

There is NO chance whatsoever that the employer will "hold him accountable" for what he did to you., NO chance. Do not even imagine that he will. Joe may or may not have issues with his employment but if he does, it will not be because of what he did to you; it will be because of what you did to him.

You did a STUPID thing. If you have not actually done it so far, I would strongly recommend that you not do so. If you have already done it, then pray that my first scenario (which I acknowledge is the more likely) is the one that goes down. But I cannot in all honestly tell you that the second is impossible.

 

[OhioRedditThrowaway]

I'll just hope the first one happens then. Is there anything I can do about the harassment I'm getting from this too? Unfortunately, others left a post that links all of my old accounts and they're archive links, which means that they're backed up on the third party service once they're deleted too.

Someone even left a comment with personal details just now that Reddit removed via automod so it didn't get backed up in the third party system at all. This is just horrible regardless. I got targeted for being autistic among my other disabilities and how I've underperformed in jobs and whatnot. Now, it's worse than ever because I wanted to finally stand up for myself. If nothing comes of this I'll be happy though.

If something happens, how long does he have before he can't sue anymore?

 

[zddoodah]

I took matters into my own hands and contacted someone's employer via a Contact Us form so someone else could hold him accountable for his behavior towards me.

Did/do you have reason to believe that the conduct in question while the person was "on the clock"? If not, why did/do you think it's any of the employer's concern? If someone contacted me about non-illegal behavior by one of my subordinates, I wouldn't care as long as it wasn't occurring while the employee was on the clock and didn't otherwise impact the employee's work.

Is it true that I can get sued for libel or tortious interference with employment?

Anyone can get sued by anyone for anything.

The first requirement for a viable libel claim is the publication by the defendant of a false statement of fact concerning the plaintiff. Since, according to you, your report to this person's employer did not include false statements of fact, then there's no viable libel cause of action.

I've never heard of "tortious interference with employment," but I'm not in Ohio or Oregon. There is a cause of action called intentional/tortious interference with contract. Even if what you told the employer was truthful, there is no way for anyone here to rule out the possibility that the person may be able to maintain a cause of action for tortious interference.

I don't think that's true since I don't know if the guy got fired

Your admitted ignorance about the consequences of your actions is irrelevant to the viability of any cause of action.

Is there any grounds he can sue me even if nothing happens to my job?

This doesn't make any sense. Why would something happening to YOUR job be of any relevance?

How can I defend myself given that I used my last resort?

I have no idea what the "last resort" comment means, but the way you defend yourself if you get sued is by hiring an attorney.

Your post speaks to some INCREDIBLY childish behavior - at least by you if not by both of you. I've been online in some form of social media for over three decades. I've gotten into some disputes, but never have I had to become concerned about any real world consequences. Especially on something like Reddit, this is just ridiculous. Act like an adult.

 

[OhioRedditThrowaway]

Did/do you have reason to believe that the conduct in question while the person was "on the clock"? If not, why did/do you think it's any of the employer's concern? If someone contacted me about non-illegal behavior by one of my subordinates, I wouldn't care as long as it wasn't occurring while the employee was on the clock and didn't otherwise impact the employee's work.




Anyone can get sued by anyone for anything.

The first requirement for a viable libel claim is the publication by the defendant of a false statement of fact concerning the plaintiff. Since, according to you, your report to this person's employer did not include false statements of fact, then there's no viable libel cause of action.

I've never heard of "tortious interference with employment," but I'm not in Ohio or Oregon. There is a cause of action called intentional/tortious interference with contract. Even if what you told the employer was truthful, there is no way for anyone here to rule out the possibility that the person may be able to maintain a cause of action for tortious interference.




Your admitted ignorance about the consequences of your actions is irrelevant to the viability of any cause of action.




This doesn't make any sense. Why would something happening to YOUR job be of any relevance?




I have no idea what the "last resort" comment means, but the way you defend yourself if you get sued is by hiring an attorney.

Your post speaks to some INCREDIBLY childish behavior - at least by you if not by both of you. I've been online in some form of social media for over three decades. I've gotten into some disputes, but never have I had to become concerned about any real world consequences. Especially on something like Reddit, this is just ridiculous. Act like an adult.

I meant *his* job. Not my job. My mistake. I'll give a longer reply here in a second that addresses your other points.

 

[OhioRedditThrowaway]

Did/do you have reason to believe that the conduct in question while the person was "on the clock"? If not, why did/do you think it's any of the employer's concern? If someone contacted me about non-illegal behavior by one of my subordinates, I wouldn't care as long as it wasn't occurring while the employee was on the clock and didn't otherwise impact the employee's work.




Anyone can get sued by anyone for anything.

The first requirement for a viable libel claim is the publication by the defendant of a false statement of fact concerning the plaintiff. Since, according to you, your report to this person's employer did not include false statements of fact, then there's no viable libel cause of action.

I've never heard of "tortious interference with employment," but I'm not in Ohio or Oregon. There is a cause of action called intentional/tortious interference with contract. Even if what you told the employer was truthful, there is no way for anyone here to rule out the possibility that the person may be able to maintain a cause of action for tortious interference.




Your admitted ignorance about the consequences of your actions is irrelevant to the viability of any cause of action.




This doesn't make any sense. Why would something happening to YOUR job be of any relevance?




I have no idea what the "last resort" comment means, but the way you defend yourself if you get sued is by hiring an attorney.

Your post speaks to some INCREDIBLY childish behavior - at least by you if not by both of you. I've been online in some form of social media for over three decades. I've gotten into some disputes, but never have I had to become concerned about any real world consequences. Especially on something like Reddit, this is just ridiculous. Act like an adult.

Regarding your first point, but it probably wasn't on the clock. Not that it matters to me anyway.

As for what I did, I'm autistic and more and haven't had my needs met often so I'd have meltdowns. The only way I'd move the needle on something was by pushing the envelope. Even if the majority agrees on something, I'm always questioning it. The king has no clothes analogy is applicable to how I see things. Just because no one else has done it doesn't mean I can't at all.

 

[justblue]

Regarding your first point, but it probably wasn't on the clock. Not that it matters to me anyway.

As for what I did, I'm autistic and more and haven't had my needs met often so I'd have meltdowns. The only way I'd move the needle on something was by pushing the envelope. Even if the majority agrees on something, I'm always questioning it. The king has no clothes analogy is applicable to how I see things. Just because no one else has done it doesn't mean I can't at all.

I suggest you stop with social media and talk to a therapist about developing some appropriate social interaction behavior.

 

[OhioRedditThrowaway]

I suggest you stop with social media and talk to a therapist about developing some appropriate social interaction behavior.

I've been talking to a therapist about this on and off for months now. I do wish I spoke to her about my plan in hindsight though.

How is what I did socially inappropriate too? I realize no one's ever done this before, but I push the envelope like I said previously.

 

[cbg]

You think no one's ever complained to someone's employer about off-work actions before? Think again, sport.

Because you've never done it before doesn't mean no one has ever done it before.

 

[justblue]

You think no one's ever complained to someone's employer about off-work actions before? Think again, sport.

Because you've never done it before doesn't mean no one has ever done it before.

Exactly. And those that call employers or police because someone is mean to them on social media is incredibly socially inappropriate.

OhioReddit, social skills are something you can learn. Discuss this with your therapist. Going out and interacting in the real world rather than obsessively hiding behind a username online would be a great start.

 

[OhioRedditThrow2]

You think no one's ever complained to someone's employer about off-work actions before? Think again, sport.

Because you've never done it before doesn't mean no one has ever done it before.

I mean I've heard of some doing it. Just not with anonymous social media that can be traced back to folks.

 

[OhioRedditThrow2]

Exactly. And those that call employers or police because someone is mean to them on social media is incredibly socially inappropriate.

OhioReddit, social skills are something you can learn. Discuss this with your therapist. Going out and interacting in the real world rather than obsessively hiding behind a username online would be a great start.

I know most find it socially inappropriate but I'm not like others that's the point.

As for learning "social skills" that others want, I'll pass on that. Neurodiversity affirming practices are letting me be myself here.

 

[OhioRedditThrow2]

While I'm at it too (since I'll be able to get the 5 messages again with the first account tomorrow), many users who found my real identity keep mentioning places and names of those I'm affiliated with recently. Beforehand it was just my first name, but now it's included others officially and that's concerning. I want a preventative measure here from things getting worse. To be clear, this guy mentioned in the post didn't do any of that at all (thankfully). It's someone who keeps making burner accounts and was able to track down my real identity. There's no threats or anything like that yet thankfully, but nothing's stopping him from doing so and that's the issue here.

Edit: Before I forget as well. Why is it that folks have got away with sending videos to employers of their employees getting arrested and whatnot? Same with sending the Charlie Kirk posts to employers? I don't see what I did as any different than those folks, albeit for a more altruistic reason, and they got away with it.

Edit 2: Don't forget that the trial Scientology membership was sent to me and someone emailed vocational rehabilitation (the email is alleged but still a problem though since it's not I can ask vocational rehabilitation if someone did it to draw attention to it and then it becomes a possible issue).

 

[adjusterjack]

I'll be able to get the 5 messages again with the first account tomorrow

No, you won't.

Nobody here is sympathetic to your anti-social behavior.

I have locked this thread.

If you come back with a new account to circumvent our limitations, you'll be banned.