So I think my co-worker is out to get me...

[3boymthr]

So new HIPAA technology regulations are going in that require that all data on computers, blackberries, etc. be protected. About a month ago as part of that regulation in order to protect the company, my bosses have requested that I no longer take my laptop home and work from home. So I think "Okay, no problem. Makes it a little harder in the busytimes to get work done, but we're not that busy now and I'll address that issue when it happens." I even volunteer that perhaps I should lock up my laptop in a drawer every night so that it can't be stolen by the cleaning people and the confidential data accessed. Please note I work in a small company with only 9 emloyees including the bosses so complying with the new HIPAA technology regs are a massive undertaking for us.

As a precursor to this about a week or so before my bosses asked me to stop taking my laptop home I left my laptop at home and called in to the office and spoke to B to say I was going to be late because I'd left it home.

Fast-forward to today. I haven't taken the laptop home since the day my bosses asked me not to, I've been locking it up in a drawer ever night. Today, my bosses say to me, can you meet us in the conference room with B. They then proceed to say that B has indicated that I have taken my computer home several times and that I left it at home last week and called to say that I would be late because I left it at home. I assured them that I in no way had taken it home and the last time I had left it at home was before they had asked me to leave it in the office. She then says "well, I could be off on my timing on when you left it home." I wanted to say then why did you bring it up but held my tongue. They then go on and say that B has said that I'm not locking the computer up and must have been taking it home at night as my upper cabinet has been unlocked and it's not in there. I respond, no, I'm not taking it home, it's not in the upper cabinet (for one thing this cabinet is packed with files so why I would try to put the laptop in there I don't know) it's in x drawer that I also keep locked - and have kept locked forever - because it has confidential data in it.

Okay, so one, why is she checking my drawers/cabinets - she's the company receptionist/admin/almost office manager - they won't give her that title and handles the purchasing of supplies and contracting of outside vendors and so as part of that contracting she also handles coordinating the company's network maintenance with an outside vendor - But... she is not in any way shape or form my supervisor and she is not the compliance officer, that is another woman's job. I have a management position - she does not.

Two, did she ask me about it, no, she went right to the bosses. I've always suspected she resented me because I was hired 6 years after her but came in making more money than her, with a "bigger" title, and I'm slightly younger (about a month), and when they hired me they started to ask my opinion about the technology stuff too as I used to handle that position at another company and because I have a brother who is a computer guru to whom I can go to for an objective opinion when she gets a bug up her butt about doing something that they aren't sure about. Today's actions just makes me really really nervous and upset - what is she going to do next? Is she going to use this as a way to get me fired? Am I wrong to feel like she's out to get me?

 

[bumbershoot]

That sounds like a very unpleasant situation!

 

[bballmom56]

What was the bosses' reaction when you explained where you were locking up your computer?

You are going to have to be careful and not give this woman any ammunition. Dot your i's and cross your t's. My DH is going through something similar at work (not him personally, but co-workers he has had to defend) and it has spiraled out of control - they remind me of a bunch of kids in a sandbox throwing sand!

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Why do you have an unencrypted notebook computer, especially for business?

 

[Carly_Roach]

You are going to have to be careful and not give this woman any ammunition. Dot your i's and cross your t's. My DH is going through something similar at work (not him personally, but co-workers he has had to defend) and it has spiraled out of control - they remind me of a bunch of kids in a sandbox throwing sand!

I agree with bballmom. I've worked with people like this before and it is like throwing up sand, except the person usually throwing up sand is doing it to hide their own shortcomings. If the bosses are looking at you, then they're not looking at her.

If it were me and these meetings continued, I'd be professional about it and ask how these meetings are enhancing our bottom line since it's well known that meetings aren't very productive. Unless and until this co-worker has hard evidence, it's simply a matter of someone making accusations about someone else and no one is getting any work done.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Yep, a main issue here is how did "the bosses" respond? Why did they give any attention to her allegations at all?

If your office is that concerned with HIPPA compliance, then there should be a policy for all to follow; a written policy. Without that, you are doing the best you can to comply in the manner you see most appropriate.

But do be more concerned about the "bosses" response than the woman's tattling.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Why do you have an unencrypted notebook computer, especially for business?

Agree with this. Customers would be furious if they knew that their stuff is sitting on an unencrypted computer.

Esp., dealing with HIPPA. In fact your company may be doing something that is not above board there. Hence the new regulation and sounds like your company is not doing something right.

Maybe that is why coworker is checking up on people?

 

[agnes!]

Maybe the OP should just get her computer encrypted *herself*, so when Little Miss Nosy goes snooping, she won't find anything.

agnes!

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

Maybe the bosses asked her about it.

 

[Northstar]

Yes, your co-worker is out to get you.

Now she's come out into the open, you know to watch your back and not give her anything to use against you.

It wouldn't hurt to pay a bit more attention to what she's up to, herself... just in case you need to launch defensive tactics or counter-attack. Not snooping around, just being aware of her and what she's doing.

Vigilance...constant vigilance...

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

My advice - approach your boss and ask what that meeting was all about. If they say that the other person brought this to their attention and they had to look into it, ask why that person was allowed to snoop through your office. Say something like, "I know that you would never allow her to snoop through my desk, so how did she come to the conclusion that things like that are permissible here? We need to be able to trust one another, and I am concerned."

You need to turn the tables on this person in a professional way - without accusing, only asking questions to provoke thought - planting seeds. I have found that people like this usually end up cutting their own throats if their target remains professional.

However, if the boss is supportive of the snooping, leave. You really don't want to work someplace like that. As a PP stated, if they support snooping, there is something going on that you don't want to be connected to.

 

[AlleyKat]

Yes, your co-worker is out to get you.

Now she's come out into the open, you know to watch your back and not give her anything to use against you.

Agreed.

My advice - approach your boss and ask what that meeting was all about. If they say that the other person brought this to their attention and they had to look into it, ask why that person was allowed to snoop through your office.

The bottom line here seems to be a disgruntled co-worker who took it upon herself to snoop through OP's work area, hoping to find something incriminating.

When nothing amiss could be found, as well as the laptop, she decided to "spill the beans" when no can had been opened!

I imagine this troublemaker to be nosy in all areas of her life and she is most likely a finger-pointer, as well.

As others have stated, stay professional but as far away from her as possible! She has shown her true colors!

 

[manning]

Encryption sounds like the way to go. Especially if you are using a laptop.

If you have a Borders or Barnes and Noble book store in your area go there and look for the "Smart Computing" magazine, the March 2010 issue.

On page 35 of that issue is an article "Encrypt Your Docments".

This will give you an idea on what to do.


The beauty thing about encrption is you can walk away from your desk and that "friend" of yours won't be able to get at the info.

 

[BellvilleDad]

If guy did that to me, we'd have another "meeting" in the parking lot at 5:01.

 

[klacey1]

I agree with some PP-- this woman is "out to get you." If she wasn't, she wouldn't be snooping and she would mind her own business. If she really just cared about the welfare of the laptop/company information, she would have come to you. Also, like you said-- what gives her the right to snoop?
A woman I work with was recently given a promotion. We used to be sort of on the same level, even though I have more responsibilities/make more money. With her promotion, she's "in charge" of a select group of employees-- not me, though. Ever since this, she's actually like she's in charge of all of us, though, making comments about our work, etc. She has a major ego/power trip and it seems your co-worker does to. My co-worker seems like she wants to "catch" one of us doing something wrong so she can exert power over people she has no right controlling. Seems like something similar is going on with your co-worker. I'd say just do your job the best you can and make sure your bosses see you as nothing but perfectly competant and ethical.

 

[OceanAnnie]

My advice - approach your boss and ask what that meeting was all about. If they say that the other person brought this to their attention and they had to look into it, ask why that person was allowed to snoop through your office. Say something like, "I know that you would never allow her to snoop through my desk, so how did she come to the conclusion that things like that are permissible here? We need to be able to trust one another, and I am concerned."

You need to turn the tables on this person in a professional way - without accusing, only asking questions to provoke thought - planting seeds. I have found that people like this usually end up cutting their own throats if their target remains professional.

However, if the boss is supportive of the snooping, leave. You really don't want to work someplace like that. As a PP stated, if they support snooping, there is something going on that you don't want to be connected to.

ITA! I was going to say something similar myself, but DBF said it better than my first thoughts.

I would be silent Sally around this woman. She would only be privy to things that are on a need to know basis. I would avoid her where every you can. She is a snake in the grass, ready to strike!

ETA- I'd find a way to lock all of my desk drawers and leave nothing on my desk before I left. Nothing. She would get the hint that her little snooping shop was permanently closed. And it would be all that I could do not to let her know what I think. I think it's best not to speak to her, because whatever you say will be distorted and carried right back to the bosses. Sorry you are going through all of that.

 

[stashbin]

I can't stand it when someone tries to roll you under the bus!!!!