Mortified at work

[Suaviter]

Currently off sick from work due to a flare up. Pretty anaemia and losing weight fast.
I have told my boss about my condition a while ago but haven't made it public knowledge as I don't want any fuss.
Anyway, I heard today that he's been talk about my illness in front of my colleagues. He also described it as irritable bowel, which is infuriating.
I am so embarrassed. It makes me not want to go back!

 

[KayleighMeek]

Your boss shouldn't be discussing with anyone why you are off sick no one else needs to know unless you choose to share it. I'm so sorry it has made you feel that way it's really not right. Do you have a hr department you can speak to about what's happened?

 

[Suaviter]

I could do but I'm worried that will just make more fuss. Urgh. I work in a hospital, you'd think people there would be more sensitive to stuff like this.

 

[Optimistic]

Hmmm. Are there HIPPA rules about this and is he in a position to be aware of them?

Sorry.

 

[ronroush7]

He should respect your privacy.

 

[DaisyB]

Suaviter I'm appalled to read that your boss had shared your private medical information without your permission. There's absolutely no excuse for it. Your medical info is protected and should never be shared without your permission. This is something I feel really strongly about.

If I were in your position I would make a complaint to HR/their boss about this. I know where I work this would be treated as a disciplinary matter.

If you don't want to make an official complaint about it, then you should have a word with your boss letting him know that he shouldn't be discussing your illness with anyone else.

 

[Suaviter]

Thank you for all your comments. I shall be taking this up with my boss. It's upset me a lot today.

 

[DaisyB]

Good luck Suaviter. It's difficult but stay strong. Your boss is 100% in the wrong, don't let him make you think otherwise.

 

[cdnrose]

Ugh, I feel for you. My boss did the same thing a couple of years ago to me. I was off on stress leave due to marriage break up, health problems and some mental health issues with my child. He went out to the lunchroom where there was a bunch of staff that I am not even really familiar with and belted it out. " CDNROSE won't be in for the next so many weeks because of ...." What an ASS!!

I also didn't want to make more of a big deal out of it than he already had so I kept my mouth shut. It was a lesson learned and I am careful of what I now tell him.

Good luck talking to your boss. ***** like that (at least in my situation) don't think what they did is wrong so it might be a difficult conversation.

 

[Suaviter]

I wish I hadn't mentioned it now. I thought I was being helpful letting my boss know I had a chronic illness so that it would come as a surprise if I went off. And then I hear that he was chatting about my having 'irritable bowel' in the main corridor! Couldn't even get the disorder name right.

Argh I'm so angry.

 

[ronroush7]

Most bosses should leave something like that confidential or ask you.

 

[shamrock15]

If you are unionised, let them know. They may be able to help you. Certainly in Canada such a breach of confidentiality could have serious repercussions for a manager.

 

[Suaviter]

Unfortunately my boss is also the union rep!

 

[sarahfh]

I'm not sure about everywhere but I know at my job all employee information (date of birth, medical conditions etc) is confidential and covered by data protection laws. Managers legally can't discuss that sort of thing with anyone without your consent. If I were you I would bring it up with HR, it's not okay for him to be discussing your absence with anyone, especially in a communal corridor.

 

[ronroush7]

Yes