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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that my manager shouldn't be telling my colleagues this?

155 replies

gthyjuyhtrew · 25/03/2022 15:28

I tested positive for COVID so couldn't go into the office for a meeting. I messaged my manager to let her know. I didn't tell anyone else the specific reason, I just said I was unwell.

A colleague then brought up that I had had COVID. The only way they would have known is if my manager had told him.

I don't really care and it was never a secret. I'm quite new to the company too for context. I guess it's just made me second guess what I can tell my manager.

(Also I hadn't been to the office for 2+ weeks when I tested positive so it's not like my colleagues needed to know they had been in contact with me)

OP posts:
Leftbutcameback · 25/03/2022 16:11

You aren't "supposed to go into work unless you're really ill"! Some places may say that but the guidance is still that you should isolate.

TheNameOfTheRoses · 25/03/2022 16:11

There are many things we used to do ‘in the olden days’ that would be seen as acceptable nowadays @lljkk

TheNameOfTheRoses · 25/03/2022 16:12

@Leftbutcameback

You aren't "supposed to go into work unless you're really ill"! Some places may say that but the guidance is still that you should isolate.
Nope. The guidance has changed a while ago to say you don’t have to self isolate with covid.
nearlyspringyay · 25/03/2022 16:13

GDPR - no definitely not a breach. I mean report up to ICO if you want to. People really need to understand what it actually means before brandishing it around otherwise it will be diluted to nothing meaningful.

EarringsandLipstick · 25/03/2022 16:16

In any company, no manager should tell other members of staff ANY sickness reason. If the employee tells colleagues it's fine. Very basic stuff, nothing to do with COVID.

Exactly this.

In my organisation, (public sector, higher education), it isn't allowed to even tell people outside our immediate team that someone is unwell/on sick leave. You would be expected to say that something couldn't be done due to resourcing issues / staff unavailability.

I worked previously in an organisation with much looser arrangements so it was a surprise to me, but I'm used to it now.

DazzlingDarrenDring · 25/03/2022 16:17

A manager shouldn't be telling other staff the medical reason a member of staff is off sick.

In this case, because it's Covid, they obviously thought the rest of the team had a right to know. Whilst it could be argued this is morally right, it is a breach of confidentiality and the OP could make something of it.

I'm sure the manager wouldn't have said xxxx is off as they have been diagnosed with depression, or that xxxx is off as they have found a lump and have gone straight to A& E....but we don't know that, do we?

bookbuddy · 25/03/2022 16:18

Gdpr is irrelevant unless the manager leaked personnel records on a Computer. Confidentiality is more relevant in this case (depending on company policy).

StrawBeretMoose · 25/03/2022 16:19

One of my team tested positive last year and did not want any colleagues to know because she'd made such a big thing of stil not going out even though I knew it was bollocks. Obviously I didn't tell anyone and I made sure my PA knew that it was not to be discussed in all the covid moaning that was going on.

Iamthewombat · 25/03/2022 16:20

I don't really care and it was never a secret

Then why make a song and dance about it? If you were off with syphilis I’d understand, but it’s a commonplace virus that the world and his mother in law have caught.

luckylavender · 25/03/2022 16:24

@Iamthewombat

I don't really care and it was never a secret

Then why make a song and dance about it? If you were off with syphilis I’d understand, but it’s a commonplace virus that the world and his mother in law have caught.

Because she's doubting if she can trust her new Manager with other infectious rmstion.
ImAvingOops · 25/03/2022 16:24

The stuff people make a fuss about! It's not like she told people you caught an STI. Loads of people have had Covid - it's probably the least personal thing they could say about you!

luckylavender · 25/03/2022 16:25

Sorry that should have read with other information

girlmom21 · 25/03/2022 16:25

[quote TheNameOfTheRoses]@girlmom21 you mean it’s ok for a manager to tell anyone and everyone why one member if team off?!?
Regardless of the reason?
Or is that just for covid you think it’s ok to let everyone know?[/quote]
No I don't think it's ok to tell everyone why someone is off if they've got the shits or morning sickness or hospital investigations.

Covid/flu/a migraine? No issue.

jytdtysrht · 25/03/2022 16:25

I think there’s a difference between any medical issue and covid. Why would you not want people to know you have covid? What is so private about it? Millions have it.

Thoosa · 25/03/2022 16:26

I’d let it go in this occasion, although technically your manager is in the wrong. It’s not like it’s embarrassing to have COVID and I think people are still thinking of it as a public health thing and having to manage resentment about WFH. So i would forgive one slip.

msc6199 · 25/03/2022 16:26

I work in IG. This is a GDPR breach. I'd be miffed too, OP.

Iamthewombat · 25/03/2022 16:28

Because she's doubting if she can trust her new Manager with other infectious rmstion [information]

The OP didn’t say to her manager, “you must take this secret to your grave. I have tested positive for Covid”.

girlmom21 · 25/03/2022 16:28

@Iamthewombat

Because she's doubting if she can trust her new Manager with other infectious rmstion [information]

The OP didn’t say to her manager, “you must take this secret to your grave. I have tested positive for Covid”.

But I am going to say this whenever I have a conversation with my manager now for my own entertainment Grin
SheldonesqueTheBstard · 25/03/2022 16:29

This is pretty standard where I work. Everyone knows your business - more so with covid.

I have enough on my plate at home and so I chose to keep a health concern from family so as not to cause worry. I needed a few hours off work to go through tests.

It got back to my parents through a friend of a colleague. I was absolutely furious as it caused a lot of unnecessary upset.

That said, positive covid tests do seem to be announced so that colleagues who may be affected are aware. A general announcement should be enough.

ouch321 · 25/03/2022 16:29

Honestly the posters on here stamping their feet about GDPR breaches when they have a cold remind me of Gareth from The Office....

BlueOverYellow · 25/03/2022 16:30

Considering how contagious it is and how it has shut down the world periodically, I think it's reasonable to share the information with people who may have been a close contact.

You should have done this anyway!

Kolani · 25/03/2022 16:30

This is nothing to do with GDPR, a lot of people really don’t know what it means. No ‘data’ has been accessed or shared nor misused here. GDPR is limited to documents or data shared electronically or manually, it does not include oral information.

topcat2014 · 25/03/2022 16:32

If you took all the health talk out of my office it would be very quiet 😀

Burgoo · 25/03/2022 16:32

I'm not really sure how my colleagues knowing if I have COVID impacts me TBH. Its not like its HIV, cancer, TB or some other horrific thing. Its a common diagnosis that most people are getting at some point. its hardly like they are telling my colleagues I've got piles or something.

EarringsandLipstick · 25/03/2022 16:33

@jytdtysrht

I think there’s a difference between any medical issue and covid. Why would you not want people to know you have covid? What is so private about it? Millions have it.
It's irrelevant. It's private information. The end.