Our client who worked for Hays Travel Limited, had been absent from work due to suffering a close loss. Upon returning to work our client realised that the personal circumstances as to why they were off work, had been disclosed to others when a colleague comforted our client with their reasoning for doing so.

As this was a new work place of only a few months, this personal and sensitive information being disclosed to others made our client feel very unhappy due to the lack of GDPR that had surfaced.

Our clients sick note surrounding the issue was left in an office drawer, which was easily accessible to other colleagues in the work place. Therefore, the breach occurred due to the unsecure personal documentation of staff within the work place.

Although our client had reported this to HR, this was retracted and legal advice was sought, as the current nature of the breach was not being dealt with very well. This was when the client contacted ourselves. The breach and personal circumstance contributed to the feelings of distress and loss, which inhibited the clients relationship with colleagues.

Our client accepted a Part 36 offer of £1000, which settled October 2020.