Page 53 - The Circle of Life

Dignitas & Fama

Dignitas refers to your dignity or self-respect and must be reasonably
humiliating as with breach of promise if degrading in front of other people.

Sexual suggestions and peeping toms or dismissal at work in humiliating terms
(unnecessary and unprofessional) and any discrimination on ground of sex,

colour and creed affects how you feel about yourself. This is called your dignitas
or dignity and the court wants to know how far it affected you.

This is why we always advise to rather refuse to give a testimonial for a former

worker than one which is negative for the lines are thin and you may cause legal
troubles for yourself later on. Interestingly enough most executives I spoke with

said a testimonial means absolutely nothing to them when appointing someone.
I agree with that. At more senior level it is rather unimportant for your

reputation will get you the job. Not what some wanker thought of you in a
previous one. I also doubt the capability of an HR fellow to understand a

resumé. Seems to me they have no clue on what format they want it and have
even fewer ideas on how to interview senior employees.

For myself I am very sceptical about the momma's boys who somehow ingratiate
themselves to get good testimonials and always look for the one who will

challenge my views for then we both grow as I know I am not always right
unlike my American Patriot who is (very wisely) known to me as Mrs Always

Right. Note this is not to challenge my authority which is something entirely

different. Once and order is given it must be followed or we will have a fatherly
talk.

Fama is where you reputation is impaired and known as defamation in law. It
may be criminal (a crime) or a delict. It is caused by publication which is

important for without it there is no defamation. Other people must have heard of
it or you will have no claim. The more people heard the story the better your

damages would be. This will be where you defame someone on Facebook for
instance.

The defenses against such a claim on delict will be privileged occasion where you
have a public duty to publish the so called defamatory article. Examples would

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