Privacy rights

[NancyPF]

What are our rights as far as privacy in the work place?  When I found out I had Hep C I told the three people in my immediate office and two people in administration.  I have since found out that one person in my office has shared my situation with another person.  I have made it clear to everyone in my office that I do not want others to know about my situation.  What are my rights as far as privacy goes?  I spoke to my supervisor who basically chose to take no action and told me I needed to talk to the person who divulged the information.  I'm very angry that the information is being talked about behind my back and without my permission and just want to know what my rights are.  My nurse said that it's a violation of several federal and state laws, but just not sure what those laws are.

Anybody know?

Thanks everybody,

Nancy

[Isobella]

Not fluid.  

HepC is spread by blood to blood transmission only.  That is key!

All the best to you Nancy-show them how we beat this thing!!

Isobella

[Anonymos]

its not contagious unless you have fluid contact. if you told some one I don't think you can do  anything if they tell someone. Privacy means that if it is on paper by a doctor and some one wants to view your med records.

[NancyPF]

Thank you so much.  This has definitely been a learning experience and will continue to be after I'm done with tx and for the rest of my life.

Nancy

[fretboard]

That's terrible that the stigma shows it's ugly head even when you thought you had told someone who could "hold their mud" so to speak.  It's really unfortunate, but it's not a complete wash.  I think it helps others who are reading to becareful, be very careful about who you tell.  TY Nancy for sharing that, as you never know who you have helped in this area.  God Bless

[NancyPF]

Thanks, everybody so much.  I have planned on disclosing to anyone that wanted to know AFTER I finish my tx because I feel I can educate people more about Hep C.  People just don't understand what it is or how it is transmitted.  I felt that due to scheduling my workload, they needed to know the extent of my tx difficulties, and I also felt they were friends that I could trust.  Apparently that is not the case.  But I must move on and I have already let it go.  I think being on tx has made me a little more sensitive to things, and after I'm done I can disclose to the world and tell them all I BEAT IT!!!

Thanks again, everyone.  I really appreciate your input.  (And humor.)

Nancy

[goosenbee]

Nancy, so sorry this went off track and you lost control of your disclosure. Following is the text of a post I made on another thread that may offer a little encouragement.  I chose to "control" my disclosure by throwing it out there. I lost two dear friends to HIV and seeing them live with "stigma" was heartbreaking. I refuse to live like that.

My previous post:  "Only you can decide how to handle this. I choose to be fully open with everyone, but at age 57 it was probably easier for me. This virus is part of who I am, now, and I am not going to hide it.
I printed out information on HCV and gave it to my students (college), co-workers and friends. I was especially careful to provide information on transmission and how very unlikely it was that anyone would catch it from me. If anyone had negative comments, they didn't make them to my face.  (My husband is a pastor, so it was especially wonderful to see his congregation accept this information and provide me with loving support.)
I was very sick during the 48 weeks of TX -- couldn't work at all -- but made it through. Unfortunately, the virus rebounded by my 3-month post-treatment labs. (And I am on disability) But we go on."

God bless you Nancy, and hang tough.  

[geterdone]

Nancy I know you were trying to build a base of support at work and am sure after reading here you know it is going to be a rough journey in which it is, no doubt about it. Your going to change if not already from appearance to attitude and if you work in a closed environment others will pick up on it, so it’s best that it has backfired on you for now. Some may be excepting and supportive and others will not, just the way it is. Trinity very funny, lol.

jasper

[Isobella]

You definately can't untell them, so I like geterdone's stratgey.  Hold you head up and throw your shoulders back.  This could be a good opportunity to educate ignorant people.

If that fails, like Trinity says....bump into 'em.  Actually pretty funny!!!  :-O

The laws would probably come into play if they tried to fire you because you are sick.  Rita had a post about problems at work not too long ago you might want to look up.  

Good luck to you-let us know how it goes.

[Trinity4]

I agree with the above -  I did not disclose but only because I knew I wouldn't have the energy or patience to explain.  Human nature is to condemn what we do not understand.  Unfortunately, hepc hasn't been the hotbed of discussion and education like HIV so people are pretty ignorant when it comes to method of tranmission and overall treatment.  We are heppers not leppers and you could always casually bump into that person that's wagging their tongue and watch them s-h-i-t in their pants because you know they think you have just given them cooties.  Oh, sweet revenge.
Trin

[danceswithbirdies]

If two people know a secret, it isn't a secret.  Your nurse should stick to practicing medicine - you disclosed your status yourself!

[NancyPF]

Thanks everybody for the info.  Yeah, I guess I should have kept it quiet but expected they would be more understanding about it.  Guess not.  So screw em!!!

Nancy

[Rockerforlife]

you should not have told them at work...not really too much ya can do now...this is the exact reasin i chose to tell nobody  except my brother and my mother...if they harass you tho....you can cause problems for them...sorry to hear you problem...if they are decent people they will be under standing,,,,if not...f..uck em

[geterdone]

Well, the cats out of the bag so to speak as Don Henley would say and if the person was not a supervisor then you may have no recourse. That said the only thing left to do is throw your shoulder back, hold your head up high while you can and keep moving forward, no shame in helping yourself live a little longer without pain, maybe a little humiliation when exposed unexpectedly like losing to much weight and have your pants fall in the office with all the bruises on both of your thighs, yup! out there in the open and have to explain your not a flasher, sad but true. After all the shock and horror at first the coworkers changed their attitudes about the situation. Its always the hottest closest to the fire and if they can’t except it,&$#&’**.

geterdone