Release of medical Information

[paulbarsha]

Friends

I need some advice

I work for a UK branch of a US company whos EMEA HQ is spread between France and Holland

Recently ill and under Doctors note i found recently that junior staff have updated customers of my condition and length of time away. I only shared the information with HR plus my immediate manager. First one based in Holland and second in France

As this was passed to customers from them to a member of our german office who is covering for me do I still have any protection under law

All our customers know now and I am less than happy

Customers are mainly in Europe

Help appreciated

[teaboy2]

Re: Release of medical Information

Customers are deemed 3rd parties, so are work colleagues in cases like this. Your medial information is confidential and the company has clearly breached the data protection act 1998.

Make a formal grievance, and if you have any written evidence such as copies of emails where customers have been informed of your medical condition, or colleagues have. Then also contact the information commissioners office about the matter and send them copies too.

They are very likely in breach of european data protection laws too, along with US data protection laws as they are very similar and all cover the right for confidential information to be kept private!