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Original poster

Gdpr breach at work?

187 replies

Ereerenownow · 08/03/2025 09:32

I've written on here a couple of times about issues at work but now a new problem has arisen, I think.
I an a private person and don't for example celebrate my birthday at work (though I obviously have a great time with friends and family).
Our office is big and busy and many people from different departments hot desk there. One young girl who uses our space has vague links to nhs via her community counselling work. She isn't employed by the nhs but has the logo on her lanyard as well as her charity's logo.
We are relatively friendly and have often chatted briefly in the kitchen while making a cuppa etc. One time she asked my age and birthday and i very politely said that i don't discuss those things at work. It was no big deal and we moved on to talk about other things.
Well this week she approached me with a wink and said, I know how old you are and you look great for your age and I'll give you a card on your birthday now.
I haven't told anyone else in the team my birthday and I don't believe myself and this lady have any friends in common...I am not on any social media.
I suspect she has access to at least some nhs files and databases and I'm worried that she has used her logins to access my records.
She's lovely but quite gossipy and I think she's capable of telling others in my team.
She also very vaguely alluded to a recent health issue I've had but didn't tell anyone about.
I admit given recent events at work, I'm slightly sensitive so I don't want to cause any problems if non exist.
Can I check to see if she's accessed my private nhs records? Am I just being paranoid?

OP posts:
SwedishEdith · 08/03/2025 09:39

The whole situation sounds very strange. Making a point of "don't discuss" your age or birthday at work and then someone you vaguely know winking at you and buying you a birthday card. All very odd.

StumbleInTheDebris · 08/03/2025 09:41

Have you ever donated to her charity?

I would first find out whether she has access to any NHS database. Contact your Trust's Information Officer - you should be able to find contact details online.

StumbleInTheDebris · 08/03/2025 09:42

Did she actually tell you your correct age or just say that she knew?

crocheteveryday · 08/03/2025 09:42

Why don't you just ask her how she knows?

Original poster
Ereerenownow · 08/03/2025 09:43

StumbleInTheDebris · 08/03/2025 09:42

Did she actually tell you your correct age or just say that she knew?

Edited

Yes she knew my actual age and date of birth

OP posts:
Original poster
Ereerenownow · 08/03/2025 09:43

crocheteveryday · 08/03/2025 09:42

Why don't you just ask her how she knows?

Thanks, I did and she said 'she had her way'..should have mentioned that in my opening message

OP posts:
SwedishEdith · 08/03/2025 09:44

crocheteveryday · 08/03/2025 09:42

Why don't you just ask her how she knows?

This

Original poster
Ereerenownow · 08/03/2025 09:44

StumbleInTheDebris · 08/03/2025 09:41

Have you ever donated to her charity?

I would first find out whether she has access to any NHS database. Contact your Trust's Information Officer - you should be able to find contact details online.

No I haven't and thanks, good advice

OP posts:
Talltreesbythelake · 08/03/2025 09:45

If she is any sort of trained counselor she should have better boundaries than this. Find out who she volunteers for and complain to them. Goodness knows what she is doing with the information she is privy to in that role.

Ryeman · 08/03/2025 09:46

NHS records don’t link up very well so unless she has very wide ranging access (doesn’t sound like she does) I think it would be hard to find that info.

Original poster
Ereerenownow · 08/03/2025 09:48

Ryeman · 08/03/2025 09:46

NHS records don’t link up very well so unless she has very wide ranging access (doesn’t sound like she does) I think it would be hard to find that info.

Ah thank you, I didn't know that

OP posts:
MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 08/03/2025 09:50

This whole thing is so weird.

Firstly, your weird coyness about saying when your birthday is. I mean, it's your information so your choice, but even if you don't fancy sharing your name, I can't see why your birthday is such a big secret.

And then there is the question of why any colleague would give enough of a shit to go away and try to find out?! If I asked a colleague when their birthday was and they refused to tell me, I might think they were a bit odd but I would just shrug and forget about it. I certainly couldn't be arsed to go digging for the information.

There may well be a data breach here, so I understand you wanting to find out, but quite honestly, the whole situation is really bizarre to me!

HelenWheels · 08/03/2025 09:50

perhaps she got the info from HR

HelpMeGetThrough · 08/03/2025 09:50

Thanks, I did and she said 'she had her way'..should have mentioned that in my opening message

If that's what she said, my response would have been, "well it sounds like you've accessed something you shouldn't, so let's hope for your sake you haven't as I am now going to take this further."

Original poster
Ereerenownow · 08/03/2025 09:53

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 08/03/2025 09:50

This whole thing is so weird.

Firstly, your weird coyness about saying when your birthday is. I mean, it's your information so your choice, but even if you don't fancy sharing your name, I can't see why your birthday is such a big secret.

And then there is the question of why any colleague would give enough of a shit to go away and try to find out?! If I asked a colleague when their birthday was and they refused to tell me, I might think they were a bit odd but I would just shrug and forget about it. I certainly couldn't be arsed to go digging for the information.

There may well be a data breach here, so I understand you wanting to find out, but quite honestly, the whole situation is really bizarre to me!

I never thought about it as weird coyness, just rather I prefer to keep work and personal life separate.
There are a couple of others in the office who also don't share this info and I've never thought any of it was unusual

OP posts:
Original poster
Ereerenownow · 08/03/2025 09:54

HelenWheels · 08/03/2025 09:50

perhaps she got the info from HR

Would they give her this info?

OP posts:
HelenWheels · 08/03/2025 09:55

she sounds really weird and intrusive

ThinWomansBrain · 08/03/2025 09:55

report the matter to the charity she works/volunteers for

Original poster
Ereerenownow · 08/03/2025 09:55

HelpMeGetThrough · 08/03/2025 09:50

Thanks, I did and she said 'she had her way'..should have mentioned that in my opening message

If that's what she said, my response would have been, "well it sounds like you've accessed something you shouldn't, so let's hope for your sake you haven't as I am now going to take this further."

Yeah, felt a bit afraid to say this in case she got her info elsewhere...also given previous issues of me getting blamed for things I didn't do

OP posts:
HelenWheels · 08/03/2025 09:56

dont tell her but do report her

Original poster
Ereerenownow · 08/03/2025 09:56

HelenWheels · 08/03/2025 09:55

she sounds really weird and intrusive

She's always been quite nice. Not even sure why she would be interested to know this info

OP posts:
Original poster
Ereerenownow · 08/03/2025 09:57

HelenWheels · 08/03/2025 09:56

dont tell her but do report her

Thank you, I might at least do some digging around to see what nhs access she has

OP posts:
HelenWheels · 08/03/2025 09:59

Ereerenownow · 08/03/2025 09:57

Thank you, I might at least do some digging around to see what nhs access she has

Show quote history

i wouldnt bother

Tagyoureit · 08/03/2025 10:02

How bizarre that you couldn't simply say my birthday in July or whatever.

I think I'd go back to this woman and just ask her. Say it's been playing on your mind and it's made you feel very uncomfortable that she's done some digging on you and your personal information.

LauraNorda · 08/03/2025 10:03

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 08/03/2025 09:50

This whole thing is so weird.

Firstly, your weird coyness about saying when your birthday is. I mean, it's your information so your choice, but even if you don't fancy sharing your name, I can't see why your birthday is such a big secret.

And then there is the question of why any colleague would give enough of a shit to go away and try to find out?! If I asked a colleague when their birthday was and they refused to tell me, I might think they were a bit odd but I would just shrug and forget about it. I certainly couldn't be arsed to go digging for the information.

There may well be a data breach here, so I understand you wanting to find out, but quite honestly, the whole situation is really bizarre to me!

Many organisations use your date of birth as 'security' questions. You can't change it and all your family and friends, past and present usually know it.