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motherof3 · Apr 3, 2007, 07:48 AM

I work as an admin assistant in MA. Last week I called in because my daughter was sick and I needed to take her to the doctor(left my supervisor a message). When I returned to work the next day everybody is asking me how my daughter was doing, I just want to know is it legal for my supervisor to tell other people why I am out, It was not a big deal but what if it was something personal. Should that stuff be kept private (the people that were asking me are not even in my dept.)

Krs · Apr 3, 2007, 07:49 AM

As a superior he should know that he should not tell everyone your status.
I don't know if its against humanitarian rights but I know for sure Its unprofessional

ballengerb1 · Apr 3, 2007, 07:58 AM

Should not have happened but not illegal. Maybe your best friend asked and got the explanation. From there on who knows who told who what. You might want to discuss this with the supervisor privately an express your desire for privacy a bit stronger.

excon · Apr 3, 2007, 08:05 AM

Hello mother:

Nahh. It's not illegal. The law would only be concerned if what he said was a lie or the disclosure harmed you in some way (cost you money). Being embarrassed, or having the details of your personal life exposed at work wouldn't be something that you could seek compensation for.

This guy probably just has loose lips. Take him aside and request that your information be kept confidential in the future. Don't make him a bad guy, just make your request and leave it at that. Unless of course, you don't like it there and want to find new employment. That kind of stuff doesn't happen in a well managed company. If so, make a stink. They DID violate your privacy. But, you're still not going to get compensated for it.

excon

motherof3 · Apr 3, 2007, 08:19 AM

My supervisor is new, and I love my job (its a great company) I just wanted to know for the future if I had a personal problem will it go around the office.

ballengerb1 · Apr 3, 2007, 08:24 AM

If anyone knows about your personal life it seems it always gets out. It is a very unfortunate aspect of people, they can be nosey and tend to gossip. It can even be worse within your own family members. If at all possible avoid the office hot topic list by keeping your cards close to your chest. They will quickly find someone else to talk about.

Fr_Chuck · Apr 3, 2007, 09:54 AM

Actually I am going against the flow on this one, with a maybe,

IF the actual employee had been sick, there are strict rules as to their medical information. You can not even keep their medical info and sick notices in the same file as their personnel records. And only authorised people are allowed to see each of the persons files.

So if this had been the actual person sick not a child, it would have been confidential and not allowed to be given out.

I have been out of HR for a while, but the reason for an absence may well also fall under the right to privacy.

I forget now if this falls under DL, OSHA, or the HIPPA rules or one of the other dozen federal rules,

Although it is commomly done because of the closeness and concern of other workers for anothers absence.

ScottGem · Apr 3, 2007, 10:19 AM

I think you need to look at this from a different angle. I'm not saying what the supervisor did was correct, but it may have come out of concern rather than gossip.

It seems your office is fairly close knit so that your co-workers were concerned about your family and wanted to show that concern by asking about your daughter. I view this as a positive thing.

But if you feel uncomfortable with it, just sit down with the supervisor and tell him that you understand and appreciate the concern for your family, but that you would prefer to keep your family situations private. Request that in the future he not repeat anything about your personal life without permission.

Matt3046 · Apr 3, 2007, 10:23 AM

People like to talk, and they were probably just making conversation. You are generally not guaranteed any privacy in the workplace. But most reasonable people would do that for you if you ask.

kupgas · Apr 7, 2007, 09:44 PM

An employer in a company of any significant size isn't even allowed to ask about you and your family's illnesses. Having said that, I would be very sure I treat this with kid gloves, especially since you like this job. I would say to leave it alone, and approach this person if it happens again. If people ask you questions you are uncomfortable with, you may disarm them by replying, "Why do you ask?"

ScottGem · Apr 8, 2007, 05:03 AM

Originally Posted by kupgas

An employer in a company of any significant size isn't even allowed to ask about you and your family's illnesses.

Can you cite the laws behind that statement?