Having a boss who doesn’t care about you is obnoxious, but working under someone who actively makes your life worse is abuse and downright dangerous. An administrative assistant in New Hampshire scheduled a doctor’s appointment due to ongoing health concerns. However, without notifying or obtaining any explicit permission, this employee’s supervisor went behind their back and contacted the hospital to cancel their appointment. “[Is this a] HIPAA Violation?” was the question running through the admin assistant’s mind as they posted to r/legaladvice for help.
This New Hampshire employee called their provider’s office to protest that they didn’t authorize their medical appointment to be canceled. Even after things were escalated to the hospital’s compliance officer, their report was ultimately disregarded. “I was told the matter was closed and that my supervisor would face no consequences,” they groaned. They contacted their company’s HR as well, but as the director of a department, the supervisor’s actions went unnoticed and unpunished.
“This is a pattern of behavior,” the admin assistant clarifies. “My boss is very controlling and intimidating. She is always treating people like garbage and acts like she is allowed to do whatever she wants.” They have since gone on to file a formal complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, citing potential violations of HIPAA. “I feel so violated and like I have no options,” they expressed. “It is awful knowing I still have to continue going in to work to face her.”
Needless to say, the post’s comment section is filled with Reddit users who are in overwhelming support of the New Hampshire employee getting justice for what happened to them. The top comment advises that the worker file intermittent FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act), which they clarified that they already did. Another user points out that it’s almost certain the supervisor has access to the employee’s medical records; otherwise, she wouldn’t have been able to get away with canceling the doctor’s appointment with the hospital. “It seems the corruption goes all the way up,” remarks OP, referring to how both the hospital and HR are on the abusive supervisor’s side instead of theirs.
Fortunately, thanks to the evidence that OP has acquired, such as screenshots of related text messages or voicemails, they have a strong case against the supervisor. “This is a fireable offense” and “highly illegal,” remarks a commenter. Another says the boss could be penalized with a $60,000 fine for her action. Hopefully, all the effort and steps OP has taken to get back at their department’s director will work out. As one user puts it, “She sounds like an awful person to work for,” and no one should have to put up with working in a hostile work environment.
