Manager sharing personal information

[The_Non-Mom]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Wisconsin

I work for a very small company (less than 50 employees). My manager (his title is plant manager) likes to share personal information about employees with other employees. Our HR/accountant person has received at least one complaint about this, and Manager was told to knock it off.

Three separate times in the last six months, Manager has shared personal information about employees with the company's customers. The first time I was aware of was when an employee had a death in the family. I was on a call with Manager and a customer and Manager went into a detailed account of the circumstances and the current emotional state of the employee. The second time was when a different employee was out for an extended period due to pancreatitis. While I was talking to a customer, they said they heard from Manager about our employee's case of Hepatitis! And the third time, another employee was out of the office for an extended periord of time due to a hysterectomy. I heard about her planned leave from a customer that had been informed of why she was having the procedure...by manager.

I know that I can't do anything about these instances that have already occured. However, is there something I can do to prevent Manager from sharing information about ME to the company's customers? Could I possibly have a letter on file with HR saying that under no circumstances do I permit company's management to share details of absences with customers or suppliers?

 

[Beth3]

However, is there something I can do to prevent Manager from sharing information about ME to the company's customers?

You have no legal means to force him to shut his big yap, if that's what you're asking. Being a big-mouthed gossip is not against the law.

Could I possibly have a letter on file with HR saying that under no circumstances do I permit company's management to share details of absences with customers or suppliers?

Sure but it still doesn't give you any legal means of redress if he ignores it.

I suggest you inform more senior management that he's still blabbing all sorts of personal and medical information about employees to customers; it's likely they'll come down harder on him this time, since they already told him once to shut the heck up.

 

[The_Non-Mom]

Darn. I thought you might say that. Oh well. I guess I will have a little chat with the HR lady and see what she can do again. Thanks.