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Outed in front of 600 staff

14 replies

Cataholic72 · 21/07/2025 20:48

We hold a weekly webinar at work where there is a Q&A session. We can ask these via an anonymous platform.
i asked a question about an issue with a company policy I have been raising for a while.
My previous line manager accidentally outed me in the webinar chat by saying “I think Cataholic72 asked that question.
It was then quickly deleted.
That message was accidentally written in the webinar chat and was meant to be private between my ex manager and I assume my current manager.
I informed my Manager I had seen what they wrote. She pretended she didn’t know what I meant.
Then I received a grovelling message from ex manager saying she was just asking if it was me who had asked the question.
I felt embarrassed and humiliated that what was an anonymous question was effectively outed to 700 plus staff.
Ive had no apology for outing me.
Today I have been approached by a number of staff who said they saw me outed and said if it was them they’d be annoyed and upset.
I went to raise this but just feel Management wil make excuses and say it was done by accident and wasn’t malicious.
it wasn’t malicious and was by accident but was careless, and embarrassing.
What would you do if this happened to you.

OP posts:
Poopeepoopee · 21/07/2025 20:49

Well we need to know what the question was.

ItsStillWork · 21/07/2025 20:52

It’s done now, I’d just move on and put it behind you.

Cataholic72 · 21/07/2025 20:53

Question was about an unfair pay policy.

OP posts:
Aspanielstolemysanity · 21/07/2025 20:54

I learnt a long time ago not to trust employers when they said questions/surveys etc were anonymous!
That was really shit of them to do that though

fthisfthatfeverything · 21/07/2025 20:54

She needs to be held accountable for her mistake.

Toodles89 · 21/07/2025 20:55

What ultimate outcome would you want to your complaint?

Is it that your ex manager learns not to do it again, so maybe disciplinary procedure? Is it a grovelling apology? Is it a company-wide email from HR reminding people if the need for confidentiality?

I'd be furious too. Not just at the outing but that your ex manager was ensuring your manager knew it was you, presumably not for a legitimate reason. But I'm not sure what I'd want out of a complaint.

Is there likely to be much comeback on you? We're you voicing an opinion that may prejudice your progression or an opinion that is not popular and so you may be shunned by colleagues? If so keep an eye out for this, it could ultimately be evidence at an employment tribunal.

InSpainTheRain · 21/07/2025 20:59

Why would you ask a sensitive question on a public forum, even if appatwntly anonymous though? I agree you shouldn't be outed but if you have a question especially about something sensitive take into HR direct.

Cataholic72 · 21/07/2025 20:59

No I don’t think they disagree as I think they’ve have been disadvantaged by this unfair pay policy themselves. They have said privately they agree with my issue.
i don’t think anyone will shun me or treat me differently but I have noticed senior management don’t like anyone questioning the unfair policies. I am a Manager myself and they hate the companies perfect image looking anything less.

OP posts:
InSpainTheRain · 21/07/2025 21:00

Why would you ask a sensitive question on a public forum, even if appatwntly anonymous though? Especually as youd been raisinng it fir a while. I agree you shouldn't be outed but if you have a question especially about something sensitive take into HR direct.

Cataholic72 · 21/07/2025 21:01

InSpainTheRain · 21/07/2025 20:59

Why would you ask a sensitive question on a public forum, even if appatwntly anonymous though? I agree you shouldn't be outed but if you have a question especially about something sensitive take into HR direct.

It’s not particularly sensitive it’s a company wide policy.
There were lots of several similar questions as we are going through a new pay policy change so it was relevant .
Just I was the only one named on the webinar.
Its meant to be anonymous to create a safe space.

OP posts:
Delphiniumandlupins · 21/07/2025 21:17

What do you want to happen? You can't undo what has occurred. It sounds like several other people have the same view as you so maybe you haven'tbeen damagedby this mistake. Is there a process change that could prevent this happening again? Would youw like a private or public apology?

IKnowAristotle · 21/07/2025 21:21

It's anonymous but if you've raised it with people in the organisation previously then they will naturally recognise that. Obviously manager made an error in putting her comment in the wrong chat - perils of modern work.

Jennyathemall · 21/07/2025 21:53

Of the policy affects others and they have similar feelings then you will likely have their support. It’s the managers who should feel embarrassed not yourself.

DaysofHoney · 25/07/2025 00:41

I’d complain. There are settings on these webinars to turn the chat function off so accidents like this don’t happen. Feed it back.

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