Confidential information being discussed online?

[00100001]

So if you were depressed and the reason for it was a confidential issue

Only 3 people know the reason (line manager, colleague A and HR)


What would you do if a colleague was discussing the reason online in a closed forum?


Eg.

I'm off sick for stress
I am stressed because of divorce that I don't want made public
I told HR, my Boss. And Adam. All wee told it was confidential.
Now John who left the company 3 months has posted on a closed forum that I am off sick because of divorce.

The information has leaked and is being spread.



What's my next step?

[5OBalesofHay]

Who's Adam?

[00100001]

Screen shots have been taken

[00100001]

Adam is a colleague that knows the real reason.

[00100001]

I confided in him.

[Babydontcry]

How awful for you but I don't how you can prove it wasn't the person you confided in gossiping?

[5OBalesofHay]

Adam is probably the leak because your boss and H.R. would know the rules and stick to them. You have no recourse against a colleague you confided in and who has not respected that.

I'm afraid you'll have to ride it out

[00100001]

It could have been any of the three.

The example is not true. It based on truth. Iyswim?

Do I approach HR?

[craftyoldhen]

I think it depends who leaked the info.

If it was your boss or HR then they've broken confidentially and you have ever grounds for complaint.

If it was Adam, I don't think there's anything you can do because he's not bound by confidentially in the same way as management and HR, he's just a colleague with a big gob. Just never trust him with anything ever again.

[00100001]

The wording on the forum post for the real issue is insinuating and derogatory and names the real surname of the person

Eg "shirtlifter Smith"

[00100001]

Sorry for drip feeding

[5OBalesofHay]

So do you know who leaked?

[Doyoumind]

So Adam told john? Or you don't know who told john? I'm confused.

[craftyoldhen]

If John is being derogatory and calling you names then you might have grounds for complaint.

[Asmoto]

If John has left the company, I doubt anyone will be able to prove who leaked the info - they've no power to submit John to an investigation, so unless one of the others admits to it, they won't be able to find out.

[SnugglyBedSocks]

No idea what you are trying to explain. Shirtlifter???

[SnugglyBedSocks]

It could be HR or boss. Mine is terrible for confidentiality

[Asmoto]

crafty if John no longer works there, surely there's no way the company can act on any complaint about him; or do you mean the OP pursuing a libel action against him?

[00100001]

Shirtlifter us a derogatory term for someone that is gay.

Do by saying shirtlifter Smith. Thus person is revealing confidential information to current employees and being derogatory about the person too.

[00100001]

I don't know how John found out.

[daisychain01]

I don't know how [derogatory name] + [surname] can be sufficient to 'out' someone.

You could contact HR, but not sure what you actually want to achieve. If you want to take issue with them or boss you'd need to have concrete proof of wrong doing.

Probably shouldn't have told Adam, colleagues rarely keep things to themselves unfortunately

[ImsorryTommy]

You'd be surprised how much 'confidential' information is actually really obvious to other people.

[Out2pasture]

the reality is nothing is ever confidential.
someone on the other side of a door could have heard, someone in the office next door, someone who knows your ex.
time to be a mature adult and hold your head high.

[PigletWasPoohsFriend]

You'd be surprised how much 'confidential' information is actually really obvious to other people.

Unfortunately I agree.

[daisychain01]

Yes I guess so, and if it's a "closed forum" it narrows it down significantly.

Sounds like it would be very difficult to prove who was untrustworthy with the information because of Adam not being bound by the same security obligation as HR and boss.