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13.3: Common Employment Law Torts

  • Page ID
    42064
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    Employees may assert various tort claims against their employers. Tort claims are often decided on the basis of generalized duties of care rather than specific types of conduct prohibited by law. Tort claims vary state to state but most states recognize the following claims between employers and employees:

    • Negligent hiring, retention, and supervision;
    • Negligent investigation;
    • Negligent infliction of emotional distress;
    • Intentional infliction of emotional distress (also called outrageous conduct);
    • Tortious interference with contract and/or prospective business advantage;
    • Defamation (libel and slander);
    • Invasion of privacy; and
    • Fraud.

    Torts are discussed in more detail in Chapter 9. However, it is important for businesses to understand that they owe their employees and managers a duty of care. If they violate that duty, then they may be subject to legal liability.


    This page titled 13.3: Common Employment Law Torts is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Melissa Randall and Community College of Denver Students via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.