If my employer released my social security number to the rest of the company can I sue them if they did nothing about it?
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If my employer released my social security number to the rest of the company can I sue them if they did nothing about it?
In a work email a Human Resources Manager released a power point that contained 12 peoples names and social security numbers to over 100 people in the company. The company isnt doing much about it. They sent an apology email and told others to delete it but that is it. No identity protection no link to find help nothing. Is there something I can do?
Asked on March 18, 2016 under Employment Labor Law, California
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 8 years ago | Contributor
You can't sue them until and unless you suffer some harm which can be provably traced to the release of the information--like identity theft by another employee or some family member/friend of an employee, who took out loans, incurred charges or obligations, etc. in your name. Until something actually occurs, any harm is only theoretical or hypotethetical; however, the law does not provide compensation for theoretical harm, only for actual harm or loss.
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