#WorkplaceIssues #HRConcerns #PrivacyViolation #EmployeeSupport
Hi everyone,
So, I wanted to share a troubling situation and see what you all think. I work for a company where our HR operates as a “shared service” under the parent company, which means they often miss out on urgent issues since the executives prefer to handle them on their own. This has now led to a pretty alarming situation that I need your advice on.
Recently, a Florida field manager who was terminated decided to send a rather disturbing email to some corporate folks (and somehow got it directed to me, too). In this email, he detailed his case for reinstatement and included some pretty explicit photos of another manager taken **within the workplace**. Honestly, opening that email was shocking—I can’t even describe it as anything but revenge porn. 😳
Here’s where it gets tricky:
- 🔒 **Privacy Concerns**: Clearly, sharing explicit images of someone without their consent is not only an HR nightmare but could very well be illegal.
- 🚫 **Distribution Worries**: I’m in a position where I don’t want to carry this content further or put anyone else in an uncomfortable spot.
- 👁️ **Employee Awareness**: I feel strongly that the individual in these photos should be informed about this situation. How could HR or legal potentially notify them? Shouldn’t they have the chance to address this head-on?
Given these points, what do you think would be the best next steps? Should I report this to HR immediately, even if I think they are already aware? And more importantly, how can we ensure that issues like these are handled better in the future? 🛡️
I’d love to hear your thoughts and any personal experiences you might have had with similar situations. Sharing tips could really help us all navigate such sensitive topics. Thanks for reading!
Cheers,
[Your Name]
The photo went to higher-ups and/or HR, from what I understand, correct?
> extremely explicit photos taken of this manager which were taken within the workplace
That sounds like it may be a police matter, depending. Was the manager engaging in inappropriate conduct?
If HR is aware, they are aware. Is it within your job description to handle such situations?
Police time
You need your legal team involved. Immediately.
HR needs to be made aware. Call the HR department manager & verbally report it. If they haven’t received it, I would forward the email as an attachment and say something like “attached is the email I reported to X on (date). Please beware that this email contains inappropriate content. Once this email has been received, I will delete it from my inbox.”
If HR is aware. Send an email that says “I understand HR is aware of this situation as reported byX on (date). I will delete this email from my inbox.”
This way you’ve ensured someone else has a copy for legal action, but also firmly removed yourself from the situation.
Cover yourself asap. Notify your company legal and HR immediately on the same email.
I am unsure about your states revenge porn laws and how they may or may not apply to a work setting. I personally would reach out to a lawyer for guidance. Only a lawyer would be able to tell you if you have a personal responsibility to notify the police or if your responsibility stops at notifying legal.
Edit: I would absolutely NOT forward the pictures to anyone with a written request to do so.
Hold on. Your narrative is missing some details and tries to paint it as revenge porn.
Was the picture of an employee getting wild and exposing themselves for fun?
Was it secretly taken in a bathroom stall?
Were they caught in a sex act with another employee who was behind this person’s firing?
The latter could be further retaliation of a whistleblower’s complaint of inappropriate behavior in the workplace.