Eye on Ethics: Treating Colleagues with Respect in the Digital Age
Document Type
Article
Department (Manual Entry)
School of Social Work
Abstract
Defamation can take two forms: libel and slander. Libel occurs when the communication is in written form—for example, in a letter, note, Facebook posting, e-mail message, text message, or tweet about a colleague. Slander occurs when the communication is in oral form—for example, when a social worker makes demeaning and derogatory comments about a colleague. This might occur at an agency staff meeting, during conversation with a supervisor, or informally during a hallway chat.
In the digital age, social workers can be legally liable for defamation of character if they post online comments or send messages electronically about a colleague that have the following three elements:
Citation
Reamer, Frederic G., "Eye on Ethics: Treating Colleagues with Respect in the Digital Age" (2018). Faculty Publications. 466.
https://digitalcommons.ric.edu/facultypublications/466