WOW…What Should I Do?
I am very upset as to how my supervisor handled my personal business. I called her to let her know that I was diagnosed covid-19 positive. I told her I would let my co-workers know. She said that I was not to return to work until further notice and that she would tell my co-workers .I emphatically told her not to do that. She felt they had a right to know. She’s violating my rights to privacy. Hippa protects me from this infringement. I want her fired. I do plan on going up there. What should I do next?
Dear “Upset”:
I can certainly understand how you would be angry, even exasperated by this situation! First, it must be very upsetting to test positive for the coronavirus. It’s scary. It’s serious. It’s alarming. You’re concerned for yourself. You’re concerned for others, definitely including your co-workers. So you needed to tell all those that could be impacted. It was a responsible move to call and inform your supervisor. But it sounds like this is where it took a very wrong turn, as far as you were concerned. Once you shared this with your supervisor, it was taken out of your hands. “Don’t come to work.” “Stay home.” “I’ll handle it from here.” “I’ll tell your co-workers.” Those are not the words you wanted to hear. You “emphatically,” told her to do otherwise. It sounds like you went from “doing the responsible thing” to feeling very betrayed. You acted on your sense of responsibility. Unfortunately, it sounds like your supervisor determined to do the same. She apparently felt that it was the responsible and appropriate thing to alert the others. Give them a cautionary directive to get tested. Don’t let it spread! But you were concerned about the word spreading as much as the virus! Again, this makes sense. You have rights! How dare she “get up in my business”, and spread it throughout the company?! But she could make the argument that she had a duty to protect the others. It’s your information to tell, yes, that’s true. And you could have hopefully come to an agreement for you to come and give the news yourself. Seems she believed that would have compromised the others. And something had to give. I believe you can build an ethical case for either side. But the coronavirus is serious business. HIPPA laws are intended to protect your private, confidential info. I’m not a lawyer, and am unaware if there are any exceptions during a pandemic. I sure appreciate your frustration. But unfortunately, I’m not sure how successful you would be to pursue, or challenge this decision. It would probably become a very expensive process. I might recommend that you ask for a meeting with your supervisor after you hopefully recover from the virus. Seeking common ground, understanding, and empathy would seem to be the best and most profitable route for all concerned. You could even express your irritation and upset in a calm, civil, and controlled way once the emotions have eased. The Scriptures say, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1). And the Apostle Paul stated, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” (Romans 12:18). May God bless you with a healthy recovery, a successful return to work, and good and peaceful relationships with those in your life. Peace.
Gary Cochran, MA, LPC-S
Prestoncrest Church of Christ (Dallas, TX)
Campbell Counseling Group (Richardson, TX)
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