OPINION

Respondents Dreger and Konvalinka, two waitresses employed by petitioner Kentucky Rib-Eye, brought this action for slander per se, alleging injury to their occupational reputation. According to the complaint, respondent Moore, who managed the restaurant, stated in the presence of customers:

You all are no longer employed here because of giving bad service. I had to pay for three meals for you [Dreger] and three meals for you [Konvalinka] because of the bad service you all gave.

The trial court granted petitioners’ motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim under Tenn.R.Civ.P. 12.02(6). The Court of Appeals reversed and remanded for trial, ruling that a jury question had been raised. We granted certiorari to consider whether the statement is actionable under the circumstances. Upon consideration, we hold that it is not.