AIBU to be annoyed my boss keeps calling my parents?

[Moaningagainn]

So since my divorce I have obviously changed my emergency contact at work. However If my boss cannot get hold of me for whatever reason (to ask if I can do a different shift) she calls my parents and I am finding it really annoying.

AI (which is not perfect) says that this is illegal in that it violates the UK GDPR Act of 2018. It also violates your ‘right to disconnect’ and in that sense it is likely workplace harassment.

It might be a good idea to discuss this with somebody at ACAS, and work out with them the best way to get it stopped.

Yes I understand that I suppose but it’s like she isn’t even giving me enough time to get back to her, just goes straight to my mum!

That’s totally unacceptable. Surely the logical next step if you don’t answer is to leave a voicemail or text you. Not go straight to your mum!! I wonder if she’d do that if your emergency contact was your husband rather than your mum?

Totally unrelated, but there was an urban legend in my work, about someone in another branch. And she was the key holder of the bank and didn't turn up one Monday. And her sis was her emergency contact and she wasn't answering either - they lived together, and then someone twigged that the sis was a key holder of a different bank. So they started to panic- thinking a tiger kidnapping gone wrong or something. So called the Dad. He said he'd call around see if everything was ok. There's the girls - safe and sound in their beds, with two fellas from the night before. Important to note at this point the local club had won the county final the day before.... which is why I'm assuming people were simultaneously thinking of a tiger kidnapping but also not calling the police 😳🤣 the hungover driven paranoia and anxiety was strong

She did call
my ex husband once when I was stuck in traffic!

Yes. Also, your mum should too. They are using her data inappropriately.

Put your boundaries in writing to your idiot boss. Totally inappropriate. Time to start logging every incident and emailing her each time she oversteps. This is ridiculous.

I’d be annoyed even at the being contacted on day off tbh - it’s your break

calling mum is unacceptable

Could your mum maybe do the shift instead?

So are you going to do anything about it OP? You either have a conversation with your boss or HR.

You are not being unreasonable at all. They are massively out of order. I'm surprised they think this is OKay.

That is a data breach. You are not allowed to use data for a purpose it was not gathered for.

Absolutely not acceptable. Where do you work??? Pretty sure this is a breach of something. Insane manager. I would talk to hr. Remove my emergency contract number. And look for a new job if possible

Just tell them it’s your emergency contact so should only be used in an actual emergency. It’s not an alternative number

This is a breach of GDPR and quite serious. I would be letting the boss know if it happens again you will be reporting her and suing the company.

An emergency contact, is just that for emergencies. It shouldn't be used as an 'alternative' contact number. If you didn't answer your phone, then your Manager should be leaving a voicemail or texting you. It's a massive misuse of your personal data.

You need to tell your Manager that your Mum should only be called in an emergency. She's contacted your Mum X amount of times over shift changes etc, which isn't an emergency. Tell her that she should leave a voicemail, and you'll contact her asap. I'd say, that her calling your Mum, has left her distressed and worried for absolutely no reason. Reiterate that your Mum's number isn't an 'alternative' contact number for you!

If talking to your Manager makes no difference, then you need to put it in writing...email or a letter. If that fails, then you need to go to HR.

Google is breaking GDPR serious and it will tell you all you need to know.

That no. is for genuine emergencies. They call over stepping the mark

Mine would call my emergency contact if they couldn’t get hold of me due to the nature of my work but not to cover a shift!

Where do you work??

Make it clear that your contact number is yours, and yours alone, and that is the only number you can be contacted on.

Tell whoever you need to tell, above your boss, to make this stop. It is unethical and unfair.

But you haven’t told us what you’ve tried to do about it or what you’ve said to your boss, OP?

I haven’t done anything yet. I will be going to HR

Probably shouldn’t have posted this as now I am furious

This is actually a breach of data protection. She is using information explicitly provided for the use in an emergency. You presumably did not consent that she use this information for normal work purposes.

You need to complain and go to HR.

Your Mum: Oh yes, Moaningagainn would love to pick up an extra shift, thanks!

Then don’t turn up because you didn’t get the message.