Published Sep 8, 2008
BlearnRN
87 Posts
Ooooo I am sooo mad! I am on FMLA and I had to take some extra time because I got sick. The diagnosis I am going to keep to myself. However, I told my supervisors that needed extra time off and the reason is because of this certain diagnosis. Come to find out one of them has told and Joe Shmoe ( who I do not directly work with) randomly made a comment to me about my diagnosis. NOW HOW THE HECK AND WHY DOES HE KNOW! I am so MAD! VERY UNPROFESSIONAL of my supervisor to leak MY PRIVATE BUSINESS! :angryfiregrrrrrr! - on top of it all Joe Shmoe's comment was some flip remark/ joke about it to me - which made very upset.
WickedRedRN, BSN, RN
609 Posts
Someone correct me if I am wrong, but isn't FMLA protected information like HIPPA? It does deal with your protected health info.
When I had FMLA, our FMLA counsellors were not affiliated with the company. The counsellors approved or denied your case, not management. Management could not ask or seek information about what our case was for. You might want to stop in and have a discussion with your HR department. I am sure you have some recourse available to you, just not sure what it is.
I am sorry this happened to you!
cookie102
262 Posts
i feel for you, this same thing happened to me,,,i had a supervisior that couldn't hold water!!!!!! i had a cancer diagnosis, and was frightened, when i finally went to my supervisior and told her (as i was planning to take some time off) she asked "what can i do for you", i said you can do 2 things: 1. give me the time off i need and 2. maintain my privacy...well it wasn't 5 minutes when another co-worker approached me in the break room and said that she had heard what i was going thru!!!!!!!!! well i paused and went to the director who immediately called in HR....i could of had that sup fired for what she did as HR told me that was a breach of HIPPA....i didn't persue it but she was written up and i hope she learned a lesson!!!!!!! people need to keep their mouths shut!!!!!!!!!!! i hope you are doing OK, i am here with you.
chevyv, BSN, RN
1,679 Posts
Me thinks this is not legal.... How wrong of people, especially that work in health care, to think it's ok to spread your business. With HIPPA being tossed around every day and still when it comes to our own, some think they can gossip. If she told one, she probably told more. Consider talking to someone about this so hopefully, she can stop before spreading more stuff that isn't her business. They really should require that people who are in an upper role take some common sense class to prevent an incidence like this. Good luck and keep us posted please.
rita359
437 Posts
I think if you wanted her fired she could probably be fired for this. I believe it is a HIPPA violation and would approach HR with the situation possibly not with names included to make sure this is correct. Then if I didn't want her fired I'd make sure she was well EDUCATED and knew that this one time I was giving her a break but everybody may not be that forgiving. If she can only be counseled then I would report it to HR with names.
namaste_71
151 Posts
I would think HIPAA, professional privacy and common sense would lead one NOT to divulge that kind of information. Whether or not he/she breached any regulations -- it was still inconsiderate and not very wise.
pagandeva2000, LPN
7,984 Posts
First and foremost, I hope that you have a speedy and complete recovery. Now, if you feel the need to sock it to this insensitive moron, feel free to do so. Totally unprofessional and immature.
FireStarterRN, BSN, RN
3,824 Posts
This supervisor did something illegal. They are not allowed to share diagnoses of employees, it's considered confidential. I hope you pursue this in some way so it doesn't ever repeat itsself. The facility will hopefully appreciate that you care enough to help them avoid serious legal risk to them, at the very least.
I'm sorry your privacy has been violated like this.
SA Girl
99 Posts
I think that was wrong and very unprofessional and you should not let it go. The conversation btw you and your supervisor is always private and you should not have to worry about someone finding out and making stupid remarks about your situation. I guess I'm taking this so personal because it happen to me and I didn't do anything about it and I truly regret just letting it slide. I feel your pain...
Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN
11,305 Posts
I too hope you pursue this.
Best wishes!
steph