I asked HR about my benefits in regard to "if I were to leave my job, when would the benefits terminate", etc. They questioned me (but did give me the answer) and I replied that I just wanted to know as I have a lot of school/internship things coming up in the future and I wasn't sure if I would end up having to leave my job if I couldn't make the hours work together.
The HR rep told me that I HAD to tell my boss that I was "thinking of leaving" and that they would at least give me the opportunity to tell him before they did! They said "nothing is kept from the managers." I was totally shocked and really upset by this.
Is this legal? ethical? normal in HR?
p.s. I have not talked to my boss, but from what I heard from other employees HR stopped by to see my boss (which NEVER happens) and brought a "termination of employment" form. I'm just a very part-time employee in a basic position--not anyone crucial to the functioning of anything!
2007-08-12 06:30:42 · 11 answers · asked by bloodflowergrl 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment ➔ Other - Careers & Employment
I have been in HR for over 10 years. In this situation, it is not illegal for HR to make your manager aware. However, I certainly would never have told the manager. Things like this make all employees distrustful of HR.
The statement "nothing is kept from managers" shocked me. There are many issues in which it is blatently illegal and unethical for HR to make a manager aware. This can include any medical information, family status information (pregnancy, divorce, etc.). Really, too many to name.
However, there are situations where it is legal for HR to make the manager aware, and this is one such case. I do think it is unfortunate that your HR rep took this route. It's certainly not what I would have done.
Good luck.
2007-08-12 07:35:16 · answer #1 · answered by KP7689 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Best to talk to your boss right away. Tell him you talked to HR because you were worried that you might not be able to get your school hours and your work hours to come out right, but that you like your job, you don't want to leave, and you hope that he'll be able to help you with your schedule.
Next time, remember that HR works for the company first, the manager second, and you third. Especially for a part-timer, they might decide it's better to get rid of you now just because you are even thinking of leaving, than it is to keep you knowing that you might leave at any time and maybe they will be relying on your being there.
It's not morally the most ethical behavior on their part, but there's probably nothing you can do about it. It's not all that wonderful for you to think about leaving without telling your boss, either. You're probably going to have to take your lumps, learn from the experience, and move on.
2007-08-12 07:12:10 · answer #2 · answered by Bobzeechemist 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Legally, I believe HR have the right to tell your manager, but it is not normal procedure. I have never heard of a company that does that. HR is not a confidential body, so the person you spoke to is doing no worng in informing your manager - according to them. However, you also have the right for that information to be withheld from your manager because you have not made a definate decision on the issue. If the person in HR told your manager and it caused problems with you two, and you ended up not leaving, you have the right to make a case against the company.
2007-08-12 06:39:50 · answer #3 · answered by Romakin 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Human Resource Department works for the company so what ever you disclose to them that can impact the company is going to be reported. Confidentiality applies to the Legal Counsel and Medical Professions.
2007-08-12 06:38:18 · answer #4 · answered by PrivacyNowPlease! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
HR is simply a department in your company. Of course they have to share all of that. In my company, we don't have an HR department so that folks don't blur those lines. An employee talks to their supervisor about all their issues.
No, the HR department does not have to "keep your secrets" from your boss. That is silly.
2007-08-12 06:35:25 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think this is normal, but as a part-time employee you don't have much recourse.
If I were getting divorced and needed to change my benefits, I would speak to HR, but I would not expect them to tattle to my boss.
2007-08-12 06:38:36 · answer #6 · answered by fcas80 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think your HR department was unprofessional, but I understand that they are part of the business, too.
Maybe you should talk to your boss. Tell him the whole story. Just tell him you wanted to know what your options are. I don't think you will get fired for thinking ahead. If you do get fired for this, it just confirms its not a very nice company.
2007-08-12 06:40:24 · answer #7 · answered by hottotrot1_usa 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
where i was working , everything was suppose to be confidential , but by the time you know it , other employees knew what was going on or what was said in . reprimand was said to have been done but the thing about it was that what was said in confidence was rumored about . and it happen more than several occations , so i do not believe that there is such thing as confidentially .
2007-08-12 06:40:48 · answer #8 · answered by o 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It probably isn't unethical, but it's simply unkind. Even if you aren't quitting, you should talk to your boss and tell him what is going on. He's going to get the wrong idea if you don't tell him the real deal.
2007-08-12 06:39:00 · answer #9 · answered by Lil' Dog 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that depends... was it a casual talk? was it business related? typically, conversations between HR and an employee should be held in confidence... however, there may be obligation to notify the appropriate manager or higher up if there is a concern.
2016-05-20 22:14:31 · answer #10 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋