The HR director for Hope Industries forbids the office staff from turning the computers off at the end of the day because he believes that this will save electricity. He has instructed them to turn the monitor off only. Cassandra, a member of the housekeeping staff, inadvertently discovered that the computers were on and now routinely sits at the computers during her break, reading the computerized personnel files of her co-workers. During one of these breaks, she discovers that her supervisor, Truman, has HIV. Cassandra tells all of her co-workers.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Truman has a cause of action against his employer for invasion of privacy. The HR director's policy of leaving the computers on may have facilitated Cassandra's access to the personnel files, which contained private medical information about Truman. Although Cassandra was not authorized to access the files, the employer may be liable if it failed to take adequate steps to protect its employees' privacy. The fact that the employer did not intentionally disclose the information is not relevant to Truman's claim for invasion of privacy. The Privacy Act, which applies only to government agencies, is also not relevant to this case.

The HR Director for Hope Industries Forbids the Office Staff