I finally told my nosey boss that i was having a 'procedure' done on Monday and now the whole office knows. I only mentioned it to her. I am so embarassed because people are coming up to me asking what am I getting done?!! Another asked how long would i be out. None of your damn business. Isn't some sort of HIPAA violation. Can I sue my employer??? Do I have a case?

I should also mention that i never stated that i am having surgery only a 'procedure' but my out of office notice filled out by the surgeons office has Surgical specialist on it..

It is painful that your business is spread throughout the office by an unprofessional boss. the only good news is that now they can watch you shrink with envy and you can smile at them and say to yourself, "look how hot and sexy I am you b******!" It does take the anxiety away from having a secret also. You are making a good decision for your health and the bottom line is: it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks but you! Head up and keep moving forward.....

It's possibly an HR violation and may have legal implications depending on your location, but I believe that HIPPA rules only apply to health care providers, insurance and the like who have specific information related to your health and healthcare because they are a provider. However, I'm not sure how much there would be to raise a legal issue over unless details were provided about the procedure. If it could even possibly be interpreted that your boss was simply letting your colleagues know that you were going to be out of the office for a health-related procedure because some of them would need to cover for you for the next week or two, I doubt there would be more than a minor slap on the wrist from HR about mentioning it being a health care reason, if even that.

Now, if she offered any details on your surgeon or her guesses of what you were having done, you would certainly have something to take to HR or someone more senior in your company.

Personally, I would make an appointment with HR if it is really that disturbing to you or is an ongoing type of issue in your department.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do..

I finally told my nosey boss that i was having a 'procedure' done on Monday and now the whole office knows. I only mentioned it to her. I am so embarassed because people are coming up to me asking what am I getting done?!! Another asked how long would i be out. None of your damn business. Isn't some sort of HIPAA violation. Can I sue my employer??? Do I have a case?

I should also mention that i never stated that i am having surgery only a 'procedure' but my out of office notice filled out by the surgeons office has Surgical specialist on it..

Thats the reason that i'm not telling anyone at work. Not even my boss.

Yeah, I would definitly bring it up to HR, especially if they are talking specifically about your weight! Even if they are only asking about the "procedure" your boss just could have said you will be out for a couple weeks, and not given them any other info. They dont need to know why you are out.

If you did not authorize her to share that information, then she could be running foul of the HIPAA laws. Where I work, unless you specifically state that information can be shared, it is not to be provided to anyone that you did not tell.

I work in HR and HIPAA applies to employers as well as health providers. What your boss did is not right and I would definitely talk with your HR rep. Any information regarding personal information should not be shared. I don't know about lawsuit implications, but where I work, I would bet that legal would be concerned!

I am really debating telling my boss. I am only taking off 5 days at most and worry that if I look like I just had surgery, LOL, people will wonder what's up! I don't want people saying that I took the easy way out.

Good luck on Monday!

Linda

She always runs her mouth and volunteers personal info to other employees. She should be reprimanded.

MK - I agree with the posts above - file a complaint with HR. I'm not sure sharing that you're having a procedure rises to the level of sharing protected health information, but it is inappropriate, unprofessional and a betrayal of your trust. So sorry that happened!!!

MK - I agree with the posts above - file a complaint with HR. I'm not sure sharing that you're having a procedure rises to the level of sharing protected health information' date=' but it is inappropriate, unprofessional and a betrayal of your trust. So sorry that happened!!![/quote']

I am afraid that HR will side with her.

If Fawn (who posted earlier) is correct, and HIPAA applies to HR as well, then you can file a complaint through HHS.gov, but filing a complaint with HR is probably the best first step. Asserting that this is a HIPAA violation might be important to say. Perhaps Fawn has better advice - I am not too familiar with the inner workings of HR. I wish you the best!

I am afraid that HR will side with her.

Thankfully, the law says what it says. If HR wants to "side" with her, then HR has basically said they're okay with any legal repercussions, which most businesses will avoid like the plague. If she's violated the law, that's not really negotiable.

Its a violation. Yesterday my boss was on the phone telling one of the nurses in my job how i will be out for a couple of days and how i'm having reconstruction done and how great i am going to look and how i should meet their friend Judy who looks great after surgery... I WAS MORTIFIED because we just moved into a new office space where my dept intake shares the office with the finance dept and they are too dam quiet... I was hoping now one noticed how loud she was but an hour later one of the girls were asking what was happening and why i would be out?? NOSSEYYY!!!!

wow people these days. a close friend just said she was having her appendix taking out. but either way its no ones business

They don't know the exact procedure taken place but now they are insinuating.

This is why I specifically told my family that NO one tell anyone else.

I'm sorry you are going through this and your boss is very inconsiderate and unprofessional. I don't know the laws or regulations pertaining to employment .. But regardless of any actions you can take the cat can't be put back in the bag