Twice a week we publish problems that will feature in a forthcoming Dear Jeremy advice column in the Saturday Guardian so that readers can offer their own advice and suggestions. We then print the best of your comments alongside Jeremy’s own insights. Here is the latest dilemma – what are your thoughts?
About 18 months ago, we got a new system for filing emails relating to each job. Last year, while looking for another email, I saw one with our office name and assumed it was about an office move.
When I clicked on the attachment I found it was a list of 2014 salaries for our whole department. Of course there are colleagues doing the same job on differing salaries – you expect some variation – but one is on about £6,000 more than me and as far as I know does not do any more or have much more experience. Recently I saw a similar email discussing rises for coming year.
I don’t think I or any other member of staff should be able to see these emails or attachments. I think it may be to do with our director not quite understanding how they are filed and that everyone can see them as they are not encrypted or password protected.
Can I be blamed for seeing them? I feel like I need to say something as it should not be so easy for me or others to view them. Sensitive information like this is should surely be confidential.
Do you need advice on a work issue? For Jeremy’s and readers’ help, send a brief email to dear.jeremy@theguardian.com. Please note that he is unable to answer questions of a legal nature or to reply personally.
