Talk

Flip

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

Work

Is this a breach of Confidentiality? If so what rights do I have? - Furious.

9 replies

QforCucumber · 13/08/2015 12:32

I am absolutely livid!

I am 10 weeks pregnant and had told my line manager about my pregnancy approx 2 weeks ago due to some sickness while at work, advised I do NOT want anyone else to know yet as after a previous loss I want to wait until after 12 weeks scan before telling people.

I have come back in today after 2 days off for a funeral, 1st thing our regional manager said to me when he arrived in the office is 'I hear congratulations are in order, you should have told me'

I am livid to the point of wanting to walk out now and not come back, what right does she have to share this when I asked for it to be kept confidential?! She was the only person who knew about this and I cannot believe that she has told them. As a manager surely her duty to me as an employee is confidentiality when requested?

She hadn't warned me that he knew, and so far hasn't mentioned it to apologise or anything else so I was completely blindsided by it this morning, now the more I think about it the more and more angry I get. there are only me and her based in the office on a full time basis, everyone else comes in and out depending on what's going on (site based) I haven't needed time off for anything and it hasn't affected my work.

Am I right to think this is not allowed?

OP posts:

Report

flowery · 13/08/2015 12:44

Have you actually said anything to her? Asked her whether she's told anyone else, said that you are unhappy that she's told the regional manager?

I understand you're upset but I think wanting to walk out and not come back sounds a little extreme unless there's more to this.

When you talk about what "rights" do you have, what is it you want to happen exactly?

Report

QforCucumber · 13/08/2015 12:52

I don't even know, I'm just annoyed - apparently she felt he had a right to know and didn't like to keep a secret from him. Shes a manager not his friend and surely my confidentiality request must mean something? Yes wanting to leave is extreme I appreciate that, but now not knowing what I can and can't say in confidence reduces my trust in my own boss tenfold.

OP posts:

Report

QforCucumber · 13/08/2015 13:08

I've had a sandwich and calmed down a bit.
Apparently she told him yesterday to give him a head's up as they'll have to work out what to do in the future, however I am still annoyed about it and about the way he brought it up.

It too much of a close knit office I think, I'll just know to keep anything in future to myself until I decide I want anyone to know.

OP posts:

Report

NotCitrus · 13/08/2015 13:10

Is the regional manager your line manager's manager? If so, passing relevant info up the chain is usually part of their job rather than a breach of confidence, but your manager should have mentioned that when you requested your news be kept confidential.

Report

flowery · 13/08/2015 15:54

I imagine she assumed that by keeping it confidential you meant you didn't want team members as a whole to be told, not that you didn't want her informing her own manager for planning purposes.

Ideally she should have checked what you meant, but I don't think it's massively unreasonable of her not to realise you literally meant not anyone at all.

Has any harm actually been done by this senior manager knowing? It's not like your manager told a colleague who has now broadcast it to everyone you work with.

Report

PotteringAlong · 13/08/2015 15:57

I would assume that, as you'd told work, you were happy for work to know. "Confidential" means don't go telling others who don't need to know; not don't tell management for future planning purposes.

Report

OldBloodCallsToOldBlood · 13/08/2015 16:10

What Pottering said, I'm afraid. It was relevant for this manager to know in a business capacity.

Report

HermioneWeasley · 16/08/2015 19:30

Agree with Pottring and Flowery - not at all unreasonable to tell her manager so they can plan cover. I think you are massively over reacting

Report

QforCucumber · 17/08/2015 13:31

Thanks for the advice everyone,

Definitely had emotions running high I think last week - close relatives funeral and then the lack of tact from said manager when he spoke to me just pushed me over I think.

flowery others have been made aware and not on my part, internal emails of some staff have mentioned congratulations etc. I really don't care anymore, bigger fish to fry