Someone from HR discussed my salary and bonus with external mutual friend. What should I do?

manpreet Best Answer 2 years ago

I've been in a fairly new intimate relationship with someone for the past 2-3 months. I found out recently that she has a friend who works in my HR department. I found this out when she told me that her friend had been processing my salary/bonus and had told her about it. To be clear, figures more than just 'good' or 'bad' news.

Am I wrong to be slightly outraged about this? Doesn't HR have at least some professional responsibility to keep my compensation confidential?

My first priority is I don't want it to ever happen again. I'd like her to be disciplined to some extent but I'm not sure exactly how serious this is for her to do. I don't want her fired. Which is why I don't want to just go and tell her boss.

Update: I now understand this is a huge issue and could be grounds for firing. I do not wish to go that far as I assume she thought that as I was in a relationship with this person, it was okay. While it was obviously not okay, I do not think she deserves to be fired for it.

manpreet 2 years ago

If you want "something" to be done but don't want to escalate, then you can ask the HR person directly about the incident.

I just learned that my salary details were disclosed outside the company. I would prefer not to have my confidential details disclosed to unauthorized parties. What was the reason this happened?

She will likely respond with an apology, and you can then move on. You have made your displeasure clear politely and firmly, and received an apology, which is enough of "something" in my opinion. If she doesn't apologize and instead tries to defend herself, you can decide if you want to push the case further up or not.

Be aware that she might choose to tell your "friend" about this conversation, and be prepared for dealing with her ("friend"'s) reaction.