Hippa Violation or Defamation
I work in Pennsylvania. I called my employer after work to tell him that I needed to take some time off to seek professional help for alcohol abuse. I said he understood and to do whatever I need to do. He was the only person I told. I went to a rehab and was released after 3 days due to lack of insurance coverage. The coverage is through my wife's employer, not mine. I have since started attending AA and am doing well. I called him to check on the status of my job. He said he liked me, thought I was a nice guy, but "You can't work here anymore." I worked there for 2 years. Have had no formal performance reveiws. Just positive verbal comments. I told him I understood that it was a business decision and thanked him for all he had done for me. I received a call 2 days later from a friend that went to a supply house and had a salesman asked him if he had heard that I had lost my job because I went to a rehab. That salesman was told that fact by a salesman that is employed by my former company. Apparently the owner has told employees of my situation. This will no doubt spread throughout my local industry. I did sign a non-compete agreement not to work for a competitor within 50 miles of my former employer for a period of 2 years after my last day of employment. Do I have any legal recourse? I feel my privacy was unjusted violated. Thanks for any help.