Reporting an Employee to an Employer

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Jensen

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This is something I am very reluctant to do, however it maybe necessary. I don't want to go into detail at this stage.

I don't work with the individual who is a civil servant. He had breached data protection, confidentiality and disclosed information not in the public domain.
My only concern is repercussions that may follow. If the individual was dismissed, legally would he be able to then take legal action against me. I am thinking sue for dismissal/loss of earnings/defamation of character.
My only concern is the financial damage it would cause me.
I appreciate I could do it anonymously, but think matters would be dealt with more thoroughly by giving my name.
I am not a vengeful person, but sometimes things need to be done.
Thank you
 
In my organisation is it very clear that we must report any data protection or confidentiality breaches, especially info not in pulblic domain. We have to report to a senior manager. I'm surprised that you would be potentially targeted as this surely is a company issue?
 
Would a quiet word with this individal first not be a more sensible idea? Man to man. Get some take on it straight from the horses mouth before you wade in? Just never know why something may have happened, his kids could've got on the laptop for example - stranger things have happended.

Silly but made me think of Scent of a Woman movie plot - a moral dilemma to snitch and protect yourself with those in authority whilst protecting some ne'er-do-wells or not snitch, suffer for it but keep your integrity and respect from colleagues.

Don't envy you. Moral dilemmas.
 
maxfli65 said:
Would a quiet word with this individal first not be a more sensible idea? Man to man. Get some take on it straight from the horses mouth before you wade in? Just never know why something may have happened, his kids could've got on the laptop for example - stranger things have happended.

Silly but made me think of Scent of a Woman movie plot - a moral dilemma to snitch and protect yourself with those in authority whilst protecting some ne'er-do-wells or not snitch, suffer for it but keep your integrity and respect from colleagues.

Don't envy you. Moral dilemmas.
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I disagree. That's not for Jensen to try and work out. If there are reasons, then it's forthe employer to deal with. Jensen getting involved and trying to make a judgement just puts the onus on him, where it shouldn't be
 
When confronted by a dilemma like this I try and envisage what would happen if the employer finds out from another source, and that they also find out you have known about it for a while. In effect, you're complicit in covering it up... if you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem.
 
Your reporting it is not the end of matters and you should not worry. You are simply bringing a situation to the attention of your employers. They will not take it on your word and act immediately. They will then investigate and the consequences will be as a result of the investigation and not as a result of your initial report.
 
GB72 said:
Your reporting it is not the end of matters and you should not worry. You are simply bringing a situation to the attention of your employers. They will not take it on your word and act immediately. They will then investigate and the consequences will be as a result of the investigation and not as a result of your initial report.
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Re-reading OP its not 100% clear whether they work for the same organisation, I assume not now (I did before), he'd be reporting to the alleged perpetrators employers I think, not his own employer. Big difference between something going on in your own organisation and reporting it per your duty against something going on in another organisation where you dont have a duty to report.
 
Correct, I don't work for the same Employer.
He works as a fraud investigator and has told me intimate personal details of people he has investigated. None of these details are in the public domain, and he has surely breached confidentiality and data protection.

Further thoughts please.....
 
Jensen said:
Correct, I don't work for the same Employer.
He works as a fraud investigator and has told me intimate personal details of people he has investigated. None of these details are in the public domain, and he has surely breached confidentiality and data protection.

Further thoughts please.....
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Have you got proof other than recalling some of the names he gave you? Wouldn't be conclusive I dont think if he flatly denied it.
 
Jensen said:
Correct, I don't work for the same Employer.
He works as a fraud investigator and has told me intimate personal details of people he has investigated. None of these details are in the public domain, and he has surely breached confidentiality and data protection.

Further thoughts please.....
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Be very careful you have irrefutable evidence. Reporting an unwitnessed conversation is dangerous as the 'facts' may not actually be fact: could just be 'gossip' dressed up as fact which you could be accused of embelishing.

The "he" said "she" is not a situation to get into lightly and might easily rebound.
 
Jensen said:
Correct, I don't work for the same Employer.
He works as a fraud investigator and has told me intimate personal details of people he has investigated. None of these details are in the public domain, and he has surely breached confidentiality and data protection.

Further thoughts please.....
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I wrongly thought you were in the same company but just not working together. If you did, it's black and white - the persons gets reported.

Because it is not you directly affected by this alleged breach and not in the same company, then I'm unsure what is the right thing to do, apart from having a look at the ICO website https://ico.org.uk/concerns/ to see if that gives you a steer.
 
Jensen said:
Correct, I don't work for the same Employer.
He works as a fraud investigator and has told me intimate personal details of people he has investigated. None of these details are in the public domain, and he has surely breached confidentiality and data protection.

Further thoughts please.....
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I'd probably leave it and if he had a similar conversation in the future I'd stop him and remind him of his need for confidentiality
 
Jensen said:
Correct, I don't work for the same Employer.
He works as a fraud investigator and has told me intimate personal details of people he has investigated. None of these details are in the public domain, and he has surely breached confidentiality and data protection.

Further thoughts please.....
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How do you know any of this information is accurate; if it is not in the public domain how do you check its veracity; are these details actually subject to confidentiality & data protection laws? Obviously you are concerned but you could end up going out on a limb over something that could be nothing more than BS or that is potentially not actually restricted under the laws you are thinking about.

Out of interest, what was his motive in disclosing this to you?
 
Jensen said:
None, other than he is a blabber mouth who has acted this way with others.
He gets enjoyment from other people's problems. He gets off when others go through bad times. Basically he is a nasty piece of work who has caused trouble to others.
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So potentially a bull-you-know-whatter who is waiting for someone to report him and get off on the trouble he will potentially cause for you if you risk reporting him on what appears to be hearsay? If you've got sufficient evidence to prove beyond all reasonable doubt that he's breached these laws then go for it. Personally I'd treat it as bow locks of the first order and would be giving the plonker a wide berth.
 
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