Confidentiality Breaker

[ASJKLapp]

What is the name of your state?Florida
Recently I received a personal, confidential, fax at work. One of my co-workers got to it and instead of placing it in my box she read and discussed it's contents with other co-workers. I am at loss. I am aware that this could cost me my job if I persue it. ( I signed an agreement to not do that. Not like anyone else there does) I would, however, like to know what she faces for her actions if I choose to perue anything. Any ideas? (the fax did indicate that it was confidential and dissemination, distribution or copying is prohibited)

 

[BelizeBreeze]

What is the name of your state?Florida
Recently I received a personal, confidential, fax at work. One of my co-workers got to it and instead of placing it in my box she read and discussed it's contents with other co-workers. I am at loss. I am aware that this could cost me my job if I persue it. ( I signed an agreement to not do that. Not like anyone else there does) I would, however, like to know what she faces for her actions if I choose to perue anything. Any ideas? (the fax did indicate that it was confidential and dissemination, distribution or copying is prohibited)

Pursue what? You have nothing. The fax was received on a public machine on which you have no expectation of privacy.
Case Closed.

 

[GaAtty]

I am of a different opinion. I think that the confidentiality statement applies to anyone who received it if they were anyone other than the intended person. Attorneys make the same statements on their faxes regarding confidential communication. I think it is adequate notice to the reader. However, the question is what to do about it, assuming for the moment that I am correct. It depends on how much harm you incurred from what she did. If it's thousands of dollars, then it may be worth it to take some action. Otherwise, you now know not to do that again, and you know who has the big mouth at work!

 

[Gadfly]

Without seeing it I'm guess guessing, but most confidentiality agreements signed at work are about work/business related issues.

You received personal information on a company fax. Using business assets for personal business. Could be bye, bye time.

 

[BelizeBreeze]

I am of a different opinion. I think that the confidentiality statement applies to anyone who received it if they were anyone other than the intended person. Attorneys make the same statements on their faxes regarding confidential communication. I think it is adequate notice to the reader. However, the question is what to do about it, assuming for the moment that I am correct. It depends on how much harm you incurred from what she did. If it's thousands of dollars, then it may be worth it to take some action. Otherwise, you now know not to do that again, and you know who has the big mouth at work!

However, since the fax was sent to a public machine and not a private one, the sender expects everyone who passes by to be bound by such confidentiaity which is absurd. If someone (as in my office) passes by and cleans off the machine so that other faxes can be received, placing the received faxes in a bin for later retrieval, are they too bound by such a statement?

Not likely.