OH's boss disclosing personal medical information

Manxman_in_exile

Your wife's manager was definitely in the wrong but I don't see what a formal complaint will achieve. If (God forbid) your wife may have a serious illness, now may not be the time to ruffle management feathers at work - she may need their support.


Trying to find a positive angle to this - if the tests turn out negative then her colleagues may be delighted for her knowing she may have been seriously ill but is not (let's hope that is the case). On the other hand if the tests are positive she may get greater sympathy from them.

TELLIT01

jobbingmusician wrote: »

TBH I do have some sympathy with the Finance Director. Of course he shouldn't have told you, but he was obviously in shock and needed to unload - your relationship on the train sounds to have been a friendship one and so I would find this indiscretion very easy to forgive (and I'd rather work with someone like this, who sounds as if he has a heart, than someone who found it easy to sit on this information).

I would have more sympathy had I been the only person he told! He also told his PA when he got back into the office and it was universally known that she couldn't keep her mouth shut. At soon as I heard it being discussed in the office I went straight in to see him and made it clear that I hadn't told anybody.
Bottom line is that anything told in confidence, or sensitive information, should remain between the parties involved and not passed on to those who don't have a right to know.

scd3scd4

Absolutely disgraceful and completely unprofessional. I do wonder at them that turn Turtle at the first obstacle of upsetting some little boss or manager.

lincroft1710

scd3scd4 wrote: »

Absolutely disgraceful and completely unprofessional. I do wonder at them that turn Turtle at the first obstacle of upsetting some little boss or manager.

Probably those who don't want to lose their jobs.

sangie595

?? Have I lost a plot here ???

We were at one thing, then it became something else without warning...

scd3scd4

lincroft1710 wrote: »

Probably those who don't want to lose their jobs.

Not at any decent company you won't.

No wonder you get these crappy two bob managers and bosses no one confronts them.

Tabbytabitha

I'm surprised nobody's asked how long she's worked there for before making suggestions.

Savvy_Sue

I think it's always hard when you're worried about medical tests etc. If your OH can manage to say something like "I'm sorry if I reacted badly to you having told all my colleagues what the tests I was going for were about. I would prefer to keep my medical information private in future so that I can decide what I share and with whom" it might improve the atmosphere.

You'll note that it's a conditional apology, so she doesn't have to believe she reacted badly. Worth practising beforehand ...

Occasionally I'll be asked why so and so is off sick, because I usually submit the Fit Notes to payroll. I just smile and say "you know I can't tell you that ..." but not everyone can do that.

trailingspouse

It's easier to assume that nothing is confidential in these circumstances.

I'd had to have a few days off very early in a pregnancy, due to morning sickness. I needed to explain to the boss (department head), but didn't yet want to tell everyone else - and made that clear to him.

Imagine my surprise when a couple of weeks later, at the staff Christmas party, the Regional Director's wife came bouncing up to me and congratulated me. In front of everyone.

scd3scd4

I have work mates who will just go straight to HR and explain any sickness/appointments in confidence and the local boss has no idea. This works in a large, organised, ethical company.