Can my supervisor share an email I sent only to her?
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Can my supervisor share an email I sent only to her?
I wrote an email concerning a client that receives in home private pay care. I voiced an opinion only and never expected it to go any further. My supervisor showed her boss and later that day my supervisor’s boss was using my letter as a threat because I only me chose to write the email. Is my super allowed to share this email because it was addressed to her only?
Asked on May 25, 2017 under Employment Labor Law, West Virginia
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 6 years ago | Contributor
There is no right to confidentiality in the workplace absent an agreement to the contrary (e.g. employment/union contract). The fact is that most employment is "at will". This means that a business can set the conditions of the workplace much as it sees fit (absent some form of legally actionable discrimination). This includes sharing emails with co-workers.
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