When you can't trust HR

[Anonymous]

Recent situation at work involved my reporting on the behavior of a co worker who was fired. He repeatedly spoke of violence and it scared people. The HR folks assured me that no one would find out about what I said...they lied, or they were sloppy. The nut job knows what I said. Any action that I can take against work if he comes after me? Assuming the worst, is there any documentation that I need now in case I need it later?
TIA

[Anonymous]

Get a restraining order if you are threatened? Unfortunately, the company won't help unless they see potential violence in the work place- then you can request help.

[Anonymous]

Forward all the emails about this to a personal account

[Anonymous]

Get an employment attorney.

If this happened to me, I'd look into suing. IANAL though, so I have no legal advice for you, sorry.

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry, but does anyone trust the HR department?!?!?!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get an employment attorney.

If this happened to me, I'd look into suing. IANAL though, so I have no legal advice for you, sorry.

"I ANAL"??
I get what it stands for, but it looks pretty funny!

Have you notified them that he knows? Have you gotten a written acknowledgement from them that they let him find out?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm sorry, but does anyone trust the HR department?!?!?!

+1!!

[Anonymous]

HR is not your friend. Do not trust them with anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:HR is not your friend. Do not trust them with anything.

THIS! They are NEVER, EVER your friend.

[Anonymous]

Do not trust HR with anything. They are NOT there to protect you. They exist to protect the company.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do not trust HR with anything. They are NOT there to protect you. They exist to protect the company.

+10,000

NEVER trust HR and NEVER trust anyone who works in HR. (Do not befriend them, etc.)

[Anonymous]

Others have said it but I will reiterate it for emphasis. HR works for the company and their actions are geared to protecting the company.

To make matters worse, my experience is that the people who work in HR are almost invariably incompetent. Some who work in HR are well intentioned but they don't know their ass from their elbow.

In your situation OP, I would send some form of written communication to HR indicating that you are concerned for your safety because what you imparted to them confidentially was shared with the employee. No threats or any suggestion that they were negligent but just something for the record that you can refer to if the time comes when you can cite that this is something that you had surfaced with them as soon as you were aware of it.

One question I have for you: did you tell anyone other than HR about this - even someone you were sure would keep it confidential because if you did you don't know for sure that it leaked from HR.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do not trust HR with anything. They are NOT there to protect you. They exist to protect the company.

Exactly. HR is not your friend. You'll need to move forward carefully in dealing with this situation. You don't want the company to begin to perceive you as a liability.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Others have said it but I will reiterate it for emphasis. HR works for the company and their actions are geared to protecting the company.

To make matters worse, my experience is that the people who work in HR are almost invariably incompetent. Some who work in HR are well intentioned but they don't know their ass from their elbow.

In your situation OP, I would send some form of written communication to HR indicating that you are concerned for your safety because what you imparted to them confidentially was shared with the employee. No threats or any suggestion that they were negligent but just something for the record that you can refer to if the time comes when you can cite that this is something that you had surfaced with them as soon as you were aware of it.

One question I have for you: did you tell anyone other than HR about this - even someone you were sure would keep it confidential because if you did you don't know for sure that it leaked from HR.

This. They can be the biggest brown-nosing gossips in the company while they promise you confidentiality.

[Anonymous]

In 25 years, I've met one HR person who I felt was competent and trustworthy. One. The majority I've experienced are the biggest gossips, and frankly, are ragingly incompetent. On more than one occasion, I've had to correct information they share regarding how our benefits work. Like basic information about how 401k matching works, how leave is accrued, etc.