Sickness and confidentiality

[Givemestrength65]

I’m off sick for a couple of days - I have informed my manager- I have just been informed by a colleague that my manager has put this information on his outlook calendar- the whole local authority or whoever has access to his calendar can see that I’m off sick and why.. is this right ? I don’t want everyone knowing my personal business- iv just checked and he has done this since he joined last year - surely my health and sickness should be confidential?

[Hidden]

Morning. Get in touch with HR. This is not ok and breaks confidentiality rules. He may just be ignorant if he is new, but that is no excuse for this behaviour; he definitely needs some training on this.

[Givemestrength65 in reply to Hidden]

I’m just looking at his calendar- he has put t name and the reason why I’m off - we work remotely since last year- I’m so upset as I felt like I have spent the past year having to explain myself and how my health impacts on me and I thought it was in confidence- why would someone do this?

[Hidden in reply to Givemestrength65]

Like I said, he may just be ignorant. You need to notify HR x

[LisaSnow FMA UK Volunteer in reply to Givemestrength65]

What did he write down as the "why"?

[Dizzytwo Moderator]

Hi no I don't think its right. Everyone imo is entitled to privacy.

Thats why I always let people know they have a choice to either lock or leave their posts open when posting here. Unlocked posts like I see yours is can be picked up and read in places like Google, Facebook etc!

You may like to think about locking your posts for privacy reasons. Its not a rule but it would be wrong not to let you know you have this option. Also locked posts tend to get more replies for obvious reasons.

Momo

[Givemestrength65 in reply to Dizzytwo]

Aaahhh how do I lock my post? Thanks everyone for your advice

[Dizzytwo Moderator in reply to Givemestrength65]

Hi there, the link below will show you how to lock your post.healthunlocked.com/fibromya...

If you need further help please just ask 😊

[desquinn Partner Volunteer FMAUK Trustee]

marking you as off sick would be ok IMO but the reason would not be acceptable. Calendar entries can be marked as private so he could still have the note without others seeing. I would expect this is a GDPR / HR failing and would contact HR or indeed request the manager themselves change that detail and not do it again. polite but firm.

[desquinn Partner Volunteer FMAUK Trustee in reply to desquinn]

I just happened to be speaking to someone that works in HR and this is not the best practice. An exception in these times may be covid but that would be all.

[Omegadeep in reply to desquinn]

Exactly .... spot on.

[Hidden]

If the outlook calendar isn’t locked or made private, he is in the wrong, he may not realise he hasn’t marked it as private, not sure how though, may be a quick word with him regarding your privacy, if that doesn’t work, I would inform HR, as he has no right to make your sickness public for all to see.

[CheetieCat]

No it's definitely not right! There is absolutely no excuse for this whatsoever. Contact your HR department and make them aware as soon as you can. Confidentiality should be adhered to at all times regarding staff's personal information, being new or unaware is no excuse! I would also let them know how much this has upset you, adding additional stress when you're obviously already feeling too ill to work! Having to repeatedly explain yourself and how your health impacts your ability to work is exhausting in itself and perhaps now would be an appropriate time to discuss this with HR.

[Hidden]

Why would you mind your colleagues knowing you are off sick? Don’t they need to know you are not available for work so they can work around your absence? Of course they don’t need to know the nature of your illness. Surely the best way to deal with this is first to approach your manager and ask to have that removed. When someone at work does something you think is wrong I do feel the best thing is to talk to them first. Give them a chance to fix the situation or explain their reasoning. Going over their head to HR without doing that first may well sour your relationship with your manager.

[Sally444]

Hi. I manage the HR at our place and this is absolutely against the rules. Your data should be protected at all times and should not be discussed or available to anybody who isn't a necessary person. I agree with bruisedpeach that you should speak to him first in order to prevent any animosity however he should be made very aware that this is totally inappropriate. Surely as a company your employees have been advised of GDPR? If not, they all should have been. That would definitely be an issue to raise with HR. I hope you get it sorted.

[Givemestrength65]

I have been working with this organisation for nearly 20 years- it is not something that has happened before- my manager started last year- I haven’t met them in person - I have spoken with him about my health and explained that I prefer not to have it discussed in zoom meetings in front of people as my team members are new and all temporary workers - they might be around when we are back in the office, they might not- if they saw me walking (I use a stick) then we might have a brief conversation about it- I feel that the reasons why I’m off are meant to be confidential and I do feel uncomfortable having to discuss this as I feel that my health is personal- I work for a local authority so calendar is open to basically everyone. I do feel upset because I’m generally a very private person and I feel that this is intrusive

[Jan1964]

Yes you are right, an employer has no right to disclose your sickness to anyone. Speak to HR, if you don't have a dedicated team, I'm aware some smaller companies don't, then you can take it up with the union if one is available, or speak to CAB who can put you InTouch with the employee rights people.Even something as innocent as making a collection for flowers for a sick colleague, unless they have asked permission from you they can tell your colleagues why your off.

It's possible that he's done this out of ignorance, but he needs to know that he can't do this. Good luck

[Anth14]

It's a question for your Hr. Good luck.

[lurky52]

I'm sure that is well out of order. It's like he is showing you up to everyone who has access to his calendar. If he has done it in error then he needs to make amends to you and needs some thorough training.