What is a protected environment

Some statements are protected. By which is meant that although these statements might be defamatory in nature they cannot be sued for defamation.

For example, court or legal statements are absolutely protected. This means that any statements made in a courtroom are absolutely protected from lawsuits for defamation.

Some cicumstances have partial privilege. ie the HR manager may well claim privilege in making a defamatory statement to your line manager, because your line manager has a need to know. But the same statements published to other individuals could be held to be defamatory, especially if the investigation was inadequate.