Hi Maralyn
Quick answer as lunch is calling, this manager was giving you background
history not in a confidential manner or stated to be in a confidential manner.
As a HR manager he should have been specific about this or should not have
discussed it with you in the first place. His problem not yours.
Cheers
Pete
>>> [log in to unmask] 05/12/2005 10:16 >>>
Hi everyone,
Further to what I said at the meeting last week in Harrogate (great to meet
you all by the way), I have returned to a very difficult situation and hope
someone can offer guidance.
To anyone who has previously replied to me on/offline in a negative or high-
handed manner, please do not bother yourself to reply. This is a request
for help from like-minded colleagues!
Is there any guidance with regards to the confidentiality of information
given to OH during a discussion by a manager/HR concerning an employee,
unless specifically stated.
Very briefly, I have an employee from HR off work due to severe personal
and work-related stress. His Manager(an HR Manager)came to see me after
the employee reported sick. He was aware that I had seen him, but I
explained that I was unable to discuss or report back due to
confidentiality, as this had been a self-referral. However, if he
submitted a manager referral, I would discuss with the employee what he
agreed to my disclosing in a subsequent report.
During the talks, the Manager mentioned that the employee had a second
weekend job and that he felt he should not be attending this. Although the
job is completely unconnected and different, and would probably be a kind
of "therapy" by taking his mind of his current problems (a point this
manager was unprepared to accept), I did mention to the employee when he
rang me that he should make sure of the HR standing with regard to
attending another job whilst off sick.
This HR Manager has now complained that I have broken his confidentiality
(which I was unaware formally existed)as he feels the bounds of
confidentiality goes both ways. If he had told me the information discussed
was confidential, of course I would have repected his views.
I felt it was in the best interest of the employee to be clear where he
stood, especially as his manager was harrassing him by phone at home since
being signed off sick.
Sorry this is so long winded but I am hoping for some advice before dealing
with the situation. I have checked the RCN code of Confidentiality, and
the NHS Code of Practice on Confidentiality but not found anything related.
Here's another fine mess I've gotten into!?!?!?
Bashyr - if there is any negative feedback off line, I will certainly
forward it to you as requested.
Many thanks to all.
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