Ask Me Help Desk - What are my rights?

This is going to be a strange post but... here goes..

A friend told me that a work colleague has been trying to find out about my personal life.

1. She called my former employer to find out who I worked with
2. She has a copy of my college transcript because she told people that I failed a class. It's true. This transcipt has been passed around to a few people.

3. Apparently she told people that I didn't graduate from high school because father couldn't afford the tuition. I went to private school. This is actually true. When I find out that she revealed this info I got scared because she must know where I live. I am leaving the company.

4. She told people that I was having an affair with my boss which is not true at all.

I went to HR complaining about this woman was harassing me but I didn't reveal above items because I couldn't prove it. The person that told me the above items said they didn't want to get involved.

On top of this friend gave me the name of the private investigator this woman may have hired. I have a copy of the business card.

I haven't called because I just want to the nightmare to be over but at the same time I pissed because this woman tried to ruin my work reputation which was stellar.
My biggest fear is that she has my social security number. Our ss# is easily acceptable because we have to write them on our time cards and place them in a box that's accessible to everyone in our dept.

I don't know what to do.

What did HR say? I would approach HR with the above topics, she has her hands on sensitive personal information and should be fired.

It sounds as if this woman is obsessed with you. I don't know how much information the PI would reveal to you since this crazy lady is his client.

However, this harassment is extended outside of YOUR workplace. I believe you would be within your rights of contacting the police.

Also HR should NOT be using peoples ss# on timecards... NOBODY does that anymore since identity theft is so common. I'd request a copy of your credit report to make sure she isn't doing anything illegal.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlindaofOz

Also HR should NOT be using peoples ss# on timecards......NOBODY does that anymore since identity theft is so common. I'd request a copy of your credit report to make sure she isn't doing anything illegal.

Our company is using our ss #'s because not everyone has been issued an employee number.

I have checked my credit report. I placed a security alert on it but that's only for 90 days. I think I can extend it.

I'm scared that's why I'm leaving. I have a very positive record at work. I've never gotten into any altercations at work.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlindaofOz

What did HR say? I would approach HR with the above topics, she has her hands on sensitive personal information and should be fired.

It sounds as if this woman is obsessed with you. I don't know how much information the PI would reveal to you since this crazy lady is his client.

However, this harassment is extended outside of YOUR workplace. I believe you would be within your rights of contacting the police.

This is woman is getting ready to retire this year. I guess there's an ageism thing at play. They are now starting to build a file against her but by the time they've built the file she'll be gone.

I just want it to go away but I'm so angry too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parisa

Our company is using our ss #'s because not everyone has been issued an employee number.

I have checked my credit report. I placed a security alert on it but that's only for 90 days. I think I can extend it.

I'm scared that's why I'm leaving. I have a very positive record at work. I've never gotten into any altercations at work.

I would also write letters to the three credit bureaus stating that you suspect someone has stolen your SSN. They will keep these letters in their files. Can you renew the security alert after 90 days?

I'd keep a tight eye on.

Its still not right for your company to do this... they should have employee ID's BEFORE hiring. They are setting themselves up for a lawsuit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlindaofOz

I would also write letters to the three credit bureaus stating that you suspect someone has stolen your SSN. They will keep these letters in their files. Can you renew the security alert after 90 days?

I'd keep a tight eye on.

Its still not right for your company to do this........they should have employee ID's BEFORE hiring. They are setting themselves up for a lawsuit.

I definitely keep an eye on it now. I just ordered it again. I did think of writing a letter but
Don't I have to have physical evidence. I have none just what she said.
I think you can renew but only under certain circumstances. I have re-read it again.

I can't sleep. I've lost weight. I'm a mess. I haven't spoken to anyone else about the situation. No one in my family knows because it sounds outlandish but it's happening.

In the current climate of identity theft, the company can be held liable if they make SS#s available to other people. If something happens to your credit, you can sue the company. Someone needs to explain this to them..

Well please talk to someone about what's going on. You are being harassed that is a very scary thing.

As for the credit bureau letters they don't need proof it would just be a good idea in case anything happens it shows you did your due diligence.

I would also talk to your employer again about what's going on. There is no reason for this to effecting you this way. You shouldn't have to leave a job because of someone harassing you. Contact your local EEOC office and let them know what's going on. I used to work in HR and nothing bugged me more then someone who was a harasser not getting fired. My boss used to not want to get involved. Your employer is allowing a hostile work environment to go on where you are scared all the time. This is not ridiculous what this woman doing is wrong, very very wrong.