Should I get her FIRED?

Question

Ok, I used to work at a retail store that has a Pharmacy... You know the HIPPA law, that the employee cant discuss your information with anyone... well yeah... About 6 months ago I found out I had Chlamydia due to my husband cheating on me... but this is not what I want to talk about... The pharmacy tech is now going around spreading rumors, because she also had it and knew what the meds were used for... Well, do I report her to management and get fired or not. My husband and his ENTIRE family still work there and now his family know. I am really upset about this... I found out about the rumors on myspace. SHe is the only one who knew.. I am not looking to be judged, I just need help, to know what to do!!

I used to work there and yes it did ruin my rep. I have people starting stuff. Here is the story... My husband cheated on me with a girl on nights.. I worked days at same company. His mom and aunt work there on days with me. The one girls husband also worked there. This just dont pass by at this company, everyone knows everyone, and have worked there for years.
PS The girl is now FAR AWAY!!! He has not cheated since and we are in counseling... This is why it means so much... I dont want him to get fired either.

Answer 1

Yes, she must be reported. If she takes medical information this lightly, she is not meant to be a pharmacy tech.

If you are embarrassed about revealing your condition to her supervisor (since you know everyone there) you may want to print out all the evidence you have and/or send an anonymous letter or e-mail explaining the situation. Give as many specific incidents as possible.

Answer 2

The HIPAA law generally pertains to release of an individual's health information by persons who have access to that information but aren't permitted to use it to take discriminatory action - such as an insurance company using medical records to decide not to insure an employee with a potentially expensive disease.

In order to get her fired, you would have to prove 1) that you didn't tell anyone about the situation (tough since your husband and half the family work there) 2) that she did and 3) that you sustained some sort of a loss as a result (you were fired, hubby was fired, you lost out on a promotion, etc.)

Whatever is going on there in Peyton Place is going to be difficult to prove in court - you can't litigate rumors. Sorry....

Answer 3

you may not get the results you want from reporting her.
for example you may need to spend a lot of time and effort
gathering proof and dates etc. if you can even get perfect proof. she might not get fired even if you report it, and she might get madder because you reported it. you have to consider all the ramifications of reporting her.
i have known employees who reported hippa violations and nothing happened. so check into that, it might not turn out like you're thinking.
i recommend going to her and talking to her about it first.
i know it's hard, but your issue is with her.
tell her you saw the myspace and you feel she has violated hippa and it is impacting your family. don't attack her.
"when i saw your discussion of chlamidia on myspace i felt upset because my privacy was violated" and just listen to what she says.

Answer 4

You want to think this out, somewhat. Remember what goes around, comes around... so you may want to let it die a natural death... after all, they only gossip about one person until another person comes along with a juicier tale.

I think I'd let her hang her own self by giving her a lot of rope and letting her go. All it takes is one overheard conversation and boom, she's history. They get braver as they go, so it won't be long, anyway.

As to your other problem.. hey, his family already knows, but they may also know his dirty little secret of not being faithful to you. And gee, if they ask, just tell them. It's his family, so let him deal with the repercussions from them.

Answer 5

You have to be able toprove that she actually did it. Since there were other people in the chain, your husband, the doctor, the nurse, the receptionist, and so on, can you prove that she was the one. If not and you try to take action, she could sue you for slander. Sometimes the law just isn't fair.

Answer 6

I'd print out your proof and take it to a lawyer personally. The drug store would probably be liable for that kind of violation. I hate litigation but I also hate dirtbags. Speaking of dirtbags, what do you care if your (Should Be Ex) husband's family knows? Are your in-laws on My-Space?
GET OUT!

Answer 7

Yes.

She violated federal law. Ordinarily, in a case like this, you can only go after her for slander/libel if you can prove your reputation was harmed (especially if it is false, but *sometimes* even if it is true!). However, in this case, the STORE (and chain as well) can loose their license(s) because of this b's big mouth! ESPECIALLY since she is naming names!

In any case, contact a lawyer about obtaining an injunction post-haste to prevent her from posting/spreading any more information about you.

Answer 8

Without knowing all the aspects of your particular situation, if you can get a another job, then confront them. This is going to come up eventually. If you can't get another job right away, then wait until you can, then bring it up if it can wait that long.

Answer 9

ABSOLUTELY!!!!! Your courage will save many other's embarrassment. We do not need people like that involved in our personal lives/information and face it, there's always one bad apple but this is really important.