Is it legal for an employer to discuss information with an employee’s family member without their consent?
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Is it legal for an employer to discuss information with an employee’s family member without their consent?
I was working at a job and decided it wasn’t for me so I emailed them that I resigned. The HR, I believe
but am not sure, called my mother-in-law and told her that I resigned and wanted her to get a hold of me.
Asked on January 4, 2019 under Employment Labor Law, Tennessee
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 5 years ago | Contributor
Yes, while somewhat unprofessional, an employer can discuss employee information with their family members, or any others for that matter. There is no automatic right to privacy in the workplace. Therefore, unless this disclosure violated the terms of an employment contract or union agreement, it was legal. The fact is that most work relationships are "at will". This means that a company can set the conditions of the workplace much as it sees fit, absent some form of legally actionable discrimination.
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