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AIBU?

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AIBU to think writing confidential HR notes on a train is inappropriate?

387 replies

Elphabababa · 28/05/2026 17:19

I am on a train in the UK.

Someone on the seat in front of me is writing up meeting notes from work. All clearly visible through the gaps between seats. I am slightly long sighted mind you.

I have seen that:

  • She works in HR for company X
  • The meeting was for an employee named Y (I can see his name and job title), following him raising a grievance about a GDPR breach of his data within work.
  • Subsequent notes of the meeting about this grievance.

She's still typing her notes now.

AIBU for thinking that people should be very mindful of what work they complete in public places? And that this is inappropriate, and if Y found out that these notes were being written in full public view, they would have a further grievance on their hands?

Or am I a nosey parker?

(Or both?)

OP posts:
Elphabababa · 28/05/2026 17:30

Backedoffhackedoff · 28/05/2026 17:28

i wouldn’t think twice about this. I do think its really odd you’ve been reading it between the chairs- you must really be looking.

what section of GDPR do you think it’s breaching?

I didn't say this was breaching GDPR. Just general confidentially and conduct rules.

That's ok, you can think I'm odd for observing this, I think it's odd that she's writing the notes here!

OP posts:
ItTook9Years · 28/05/2026 17:30

I would think very poorly of any of my HR team
members that did this and would want to know.

Backedoffhackedoff · 28/05/2026 17:28

i wouldn’t think twice about this. I do think its really odd you’ve been reading it between the chairs- you must really be looking.

what section of GDPR do you think it’s breaching?

AtlasPine · 28/05/2026 17:26

I’d let her know.

IDontHateRainbows · 28/05/2026 17:26

Tell Alanis Morrisette to put that in a song! Isn't it ironic! ( the gdpr breach)

Larrythecatforpm · 28/05/2026 17:25

Let the company know.

WhatATimeToBeAlive · 28/05/2026 17:25

Yes I would let them know. Another GDPR breach right there!

HelenaWilson · 28/05/2026 17:25

Of course it's hugely inappropriate. Probably a serious disciplinary offence if her employers knew.

But people will do it.
I once overheard on a train a conversation between what I think was a group of solicitors about court proceedings relating to a girl who was in care. They didn't mention names, but if I had known the girl or her family, I'd have known who they were talking about.

Duvetdayneeded · 28/05/2026 17:24

Call the company and tell them!!

Ritaskitchen · 28/05/2026 17:22

She needs a privacy screen for her computer. Maybe just don’t look anymore. Or let her know? She maynot realise.

TestingTestingWonTooFree · 28/05/2026 17:22

If he was complaining about a GDPR breach, he wasn’t far wrong. I work on trains but am careful who’s behind me, use a privacy screen and avoid confidential/sensitive documents.

AndyBurnhamForPM · 28/05/2026 17:21

I would contact the company and complain.