Employee Confidentiality
SBernstein
5 Posts
We have a manager who called an employee's (ee is a young adult) parents to tell them that their daughter was passed out on the floor. The manager was not the manager of the employee and the employee has a roommate who could have called. It is my understanding that we are not allowed to give out informtion about employees unless we have their permission. The employee was intoxicated. The call was made off work hours and off the work site, however, my concern is that because of the manager's position in the company we could be held liable for disclosing information without getting permission.
The employee did list her father as an emergency contact, but again, she was not in danger, nor was she taken to the hospital.
Now the parents are calling the manager asking if she can get other employees to do "an intervention."
I'd appreciate any thoughts on this... Thanks
The employee did list her father as an emergency contact, but again, she was not in danger, nor was she taken to the hospital.
Now the parents are calling the manager asking if she can get other employees to do "an intervention."
I'd appreciate any thoughts on this... Thanks
Comments
All of this appears to be happening outside of work? Why is HR even involved?
BUT -- I would not allow the company employees and especially the manager to engage in any intervention. This could result in liability based on the ADA as well as some other claims -- like intentional infliction of emotional distress, false imprisionment, etc.
If you have an employee assistance program, you can let the employee know about it, but I would not go any further.
Good Luck!