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Supervisor Disclosed Private Conversation to Coworker

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  • 03-18-2015, 05:43 PM
    Zulu01
    Supervisor Disclosed Private Conversation to Coworker
    My question involves labor and employment law for the state of: NC

    Hello all,
    A couple months I was going through a family situation and I decided I needed to see a counselor to get some perspective. I found a counselor and set up a last minute appointment, the appointment was earlier than my usual time for leaving work so I asked my supervisor if I could have a conversation with her in her office. We went to her office and closed the door, I told her that I was going through some family situations and I had decided to consult a counselor, that I was able to schedule a last minute appointment and I asked her if I could leave early. She agreed and that was the end of it.

    A couple weeks later a coworker/friend from the benefits department told me that my supervisor's coordinator which is also my co-worker had told her that I was visiting a counselor and gave her a made up reason for me visiting a counselor. I never disclosed details of the family situation to my supervisor, I thought that by asking her to talk in private in her office with the door closed this would be considered a private matter. I never shared any information with the coordinator. In other words, my supervisor shared my conversation, which was behind doors, with her coordinator and the coordinator shared that information with another coworker, she also made up some information that was not true.

    I am not sure if my initial conversation would considered a medical related conversation or if this could be considered private and if my supervisor had a right to share our conversation that happened behind closed doors. Did any party violate and laws or regulations?
  • 03-18-2015, 05:47 PM
    cbg
    Re: Supervisor Disclosed Private Conversation to Coworker
    No. Since you provided the information to your supervisor directly, this was not protected information even in the (rather unlikely but not impossible) event that your employer is subject to HIPAA. I'm not going to say it was handled professionally and I'm not saying you've no right to be upset. But no laws were broken.
  • 03-19-2015, 06:31 AM
    PADriver13
    Re: Supervisor Disclosed Private Conversation to Coworker
    Sorry that happened. While it is hurtful and unprofessional, as cbg said, nothing illegal happened. This is really a case-by-case situation. If you have an employer or supervisor that you can truly trust, sometimes it is better to be open. In other circumstances, it is better to simply request to use time (sick, vacation, etc.) without any explanation to anyone. Sorry you had to find out the hard way. There is nothing wrong or embarrassing about seeing a therapist.
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