I confided my medical problem to my office manager, because I needed help regarding my insurance coverage. I told her I did not want my issue discussed with anyone at work. She told me she could not disclose my medical information with anyone, because of the Hippa laws. I discovered she told another employee who was going through the same tests I went through. This upset me greatly and I discussed the matter with my boss, who is also her boss, but he just gave her a verbal warning. He didn't seem too concerned about it, which I didn't like. To be honest, this is regarding infertility, which is one of the hardest and most depressing things to go through. I am very private and only told 2 close friends at work. My friends and family have told me this breach of confidentiality is unacceptable and that she should get fired or I should sue. I didn't want to go that far, but I think she should at least get a written warning. Any advice would be much appreciated.
2007-11-01 05:48:56 · 15 answers · asked by Zindie31 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
This woman is the office manager and human resources.
2007-11-01 06:04:00 · update #1
While what she did was wrong, it is not actionable under Hippa. Your office manager is not a health care provider. It is a breach of confidence, yes, but not a breach of Hippa.
2007-11-01 06:00:33 · answer #1 · answered by Heather Mac 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I believe HIPAA is meant for health care and insurance providers. They are not allowed to disclose personal information without your concent.
As for the workplace, it might be considered office gossip. With that, the only option is to know company policy inside and out when it comes to revealing personal information. All businesses I have worked for have a policy book that you can look through by asking the manager.
If you feel this issue has not been addressed to your satisfaction, and it is causing you problems, you should contact your company hotline. This will, of course, be going over the bosses head. Usually going this far will result in an investigation from a district or regional manager. So, document every single thing that was said, when it happened etc.
I know how upset you are, as she was extremely unprofessional in revealing such personal information.
2007-11-02 17:35:25 · answer #2 · answered by latebreakfast 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From what you have reported, it looks your rights have been violated. The physicians workplace has a accountability to guard your suggestions. Disclosing any suggestions, even to different healthcare workers, is a violation, until eventually you have given permission or that suggestions is shared for purposes of offering extra care, economic purposes or some different motives. besides, there is genuinely no rationalization for the conventional public to be counseled of why you have been there or the end results of any attempt. study HIPPA to make certain the thank you to document this violation.
2016-10-03 02:33:56 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have a valid claim for violation of yur right to privacy. You do not have a valid basis for interfering in the employer's disciplinary process. You can maintain a lawsuit, but the value of the lawsuit depends on many factors, including which locality you are in. The lawsuit is worth much more in Brownsville, New York than in Brownsville, Texas.
The HR person would be fired by most employers, but each employer has the discretion to deal with this kind of situation in its own way.
2007-11-01 22:15:32 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If nothing else, I would advise other employees not to trust the office manager in private matters. If your boss did nothing except a verbal, then he isn't going to be much help in the future.
2007-11-01 05:54:25 · answer #5 · answered by sensible_man 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think a verbal warning for an apparent first offense is befitting. If it happens again, however, I would expect an escalation of the punishment.
2007-11-01 06:22:38 · answer #6 · answered by jurydoc 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She made a mistake, she tried to reassure the other person she was not alone with her problem, she has been reprimanded.
If you are really private let it drop or do you want your infertility to be the talk of the company?
2007-11-01 05:58:01 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
You can file a fedral complaint. Bellow I added the link on how to do that.
You need to have another talk with the owner about this, and make it clear how wrong this woman was. Violation of HIPAA is a class C fellony and can come with a penalty of up to $50,000 / 1 year in prison or both per violation. I don't think they realize just how big of a deal it is.
2007-11-01 06:07:20 · answer #8 · answered by buggerhead 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋
If you think you have a cause for a lawsuit then go ahead.
You will soon discover that your voluntary disclosure gives way to further release of the information.
The company handled it correctly, regardless of what family and friends (who are not attorneys by the way) tell you.
2007-11-01 05:52:55 · answer #9 · answered by hexeliebe 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
FIRST..... go to HER..... Immediate Supervisor.... AND.... Human Resources..... BOTH AT THE SAME TIME... and File a Formal Complaint with YOUR EMPLOYER!
MAKE Sure that it is a Written Complaint..... and .. ASK... for a Written Reply!
THEY WILL HAVE TO RESPOND... in 10-Working Days!
IF THEY DO NOT.... Get an Attorney...... and have him or her.... DO THE DIRTY WORK!
They.... the Employer.... IS SUBJECT TO.... A DAILY FINE...and .. PENALTIES!
Thanks for Asking ! RR
2007-11-01 05:54:55 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋