Is it harresment...

[Dawn]

Hi...this is on behalf of a collegue.

Is it classed as harresment if a manager spreads personnal information about a person via an internet forum to other collegues, staff, and friends. Can anything be done about this?

[grimlyfiendish]

Too bloody right it is m8, get on to your local rep in the first instance, this is not only b+H but also slander, could also require leagle action.

[Dawn]

thanks for the reply, the person concerned is a little worried about going to a rep at work due to the nature of the complaint and the manager being friendly with the rep. I sugested speaking to the area rep, and collecting evidence if possible.

[andy2007]

Hi...this is on behalf of a collegue.

Is it classed as harresment if a manager spreads personnal information about a person via an internet forum to other collegues, staff, and friends. Can anything be done about this?

It depends on whether it's possible for people (other than those directly involved) to identify your collegue from the information posted. If your collegue can be identified. Particularly if he/she is named, and the information is likley to cause offence and/or embarrasment. Then YES it is harassment, and can be dealt with through the Conduct Code.

I fell foul of this myself some time ago, when discussing something which happened at work. Although no names, dates or times, were included. It was such a high profile case, that people could tell who I was talking about. So I was threatened with the Conduct Code, if I didn't remove it.

If you don't mind me asking: Which Forum did this happen on?

[Dawn]

Its irrevevant which forum it happened on Andy, the fact is it happened. The persons named was mentioned, and as the information discussed was very personnal its believed to have come from other management. Not good...

Thanks for all the advice

[Pat Ostman]

good luck to your friend - hope its sorted.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Its irrevevant which forum it happened on Andy, the fact is it happened. The persons named was mentioned, and as the information discussed was very personnal its believed to have come from other management. Not good...

Thanks for all the advice

........ and in one post you have reinforced why we have the rule of no names on here, unless they are publicly available on the internet, and a link provided. It is also worth pointing out that RMC do not accept any liability if members do post names in error, it is the posters responsibility but we will edit posts as and when we see them.

Thanks Dawn I hope everything works out OK for all concerned.

[andy2007]

Its irrevevant which forum it happened on Andy, the fact is it happened. The persons named was mentioned, and as the information discussed was very personnal its believed to have come from other management. Not good...

Thanks for all the advice

On the contrary. If it happened on here, and we somehow missed it. We would be able to remove the details, and ban the one who posted the details. If it's not here. Then perhaps the Moderators or Admin on that site, could help you.

[Dawn]

Its not something thats happened on this forum...

Whats the next step, cwu bullying & harassment hotline?

[DGP1]

Its not something thats happened on this forum...

Whats the next step, cwu bullying & harassment hotline?

HERE IS THE PHONE NUMBER 0800 587 4777

CWU Harassment Hotline 020 8971 7380 or 020 8971 7593 or email: cwu-helpline@cwu.org

I'd personally use the CWU first and if you want, the use the RM one.

[Dawn]

cheers,thanks for the contact number

[andy2007]

If you've not already done so. Contact the Moderators/Admin at the site where it happened, and ask them to remove it, before it causes any more distress.

I hope all goes well with the complaint against the Manager.

Just how personal was the information?
Was it enough to damage you Colegue's reputation?
If so, it might be worth contacting the Police about it.

[Dawn]

Hi...

It's been removed from the forum. The statement made was out of order, and not exactly true. As far as I understand it's been taken very seriously, and in my eyes could be slanderous...the union rep was disgusted. I'll update when appropiate. Thanks for all your help.

[Paul_theother_One]

Hi...this is on behalf of a collegue.

Is it classed as harresment if a manager spreads personnal information about a person via an internet forum to other collegues, staff, and friends. Can anything be done about this?

WHAT ABOUT DATA PROTECTION AS WELL AS LIBEL?

In law, defamation (also called calumny, libel (for written words), slander (for spoken words), and vilification) is the communication of a statement that makes a claim, expressly stated or implied to be factual, that may give an individual, business, product, group, government or nation a negative image. It is usually, but not always,[1] a requirement that this claim be false and that the publication is communicated to someone other than the person defamed (the claimant).

In common law jurisdictions, slander refers to a malicious, false and defamatory spoken statement or report, while libel refers to any other form of communication such as written words or images. Most jurisdictions allow legal actions, civil and/or criminal, to deter various kinds of defamation and retaliate against groundless criticism. Related to defamation is public disclosure of private facts, which arises where one person reveals information that is not of public concern, and the release of which would offend a reasonable person. "Unlike [with] libel, truth is not a defence for invasion of privacy."[2]