CEO reveals employee's medical needs in front of entire team: 'Did they finally refill your ADHD meds?'

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Mar 6, 2024 2:00 PM EST

Talk about unprofessional! There are many instances when the personal details of an employee might come up in general banter during a team meeting. Examples of this include questions like "how was that concert you went to?" or "did you enjoy your trip?" Those are, of course, acceptable. However, questions like "did they refill your ADHD meds?" most certainly fall into the unacceptable category.

What possessed this CEO to think inquiring about this was a good idea? Even privately, that question is inappropriate. All the employee did was relay the fact that they had finally finished a project that had been ongoing since November. There was no simple logical through-line there that could lead to discussing their medical needs, not to mention disclosing those needs in front of their entire team. The employee shared their side of the story via this thread on Reddit, and people in the comments were quick to tell them to contact an employment lawyer and start looking for other work.

Keep scrolling below for the full story. For more, check out this post about a toxic manager who used IT to spy on their employees.

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  • 01
    WITHTH "The Owner of Our Company Just Aired My Mental Health Issues To The Whole Team"
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  • 02
    The Owner of Our Company Just Aired My Mental Health Issues To The Whole Team So, I'm mildly autistic and have ADHD. It's not as impactful to me as it is some. Mostly I just kind of keep to myself more than my coworkers.
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  • 03
    Well, last week we had a team meeting and they asked if we had any good news. I informed them that I'd caught up on a project that we've had lagging since November and that I was feeling more put together without the weight of this poorly project-managed job on my shoulders. Her response? "Oh, did they finally refill your ADHD meds or is it the autism thing?"
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  • 04
    I think she realized what she said immediately after because she tried walking it back because she was like, "Oh, I didn't mean anything by that. I have ADHD too." (A claim that she likely would have made before were it true, perhaps when I told them of my focus concerns.
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  • 05
    It didn't change the fact that my whole team learned something that no one should have any right to know without my consent.
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  • 06
    I feel like an alien in my own office now and like I'm being either coddled or looked at funny because of my mental state. It has definitely led to a very uncomfortable work environment. do they get away with this? How the
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  • 07
    SneakySpoons 10 hr. ago That is privileged information that they can't legally disclose without your consent. You absolutely have a case for a civil suit against the company. Contact your local DoL or an employment lawyer. Most employment lawyers will do free consultations about this kind of stuff. Make a note of who was present at the meeting, because they will want to corroborate your story with whoever was present. 523 Reply Share
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  • 08
    Powerman913717 6 hr. ago What's the best way to find one of these employment lawyers? Should I just start with Google or is there a better avenue?
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  • 09
    SneakySpoons. 5 hr. ago Honestly yeah, you can just google "employment lawyers "for your city or in state. I'm sure there is an actual resource out there, but google will be the fastest route. It should bring up local practices and their contact information, though it being google, you should take any reviews with a grain of salt.
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  • 10
    Once you find one, make sure you have details for the situation so you can give them an understanding of what happened, and they should be able to tell you if you have a case or not, or if it is a situation better brought to the Department of Labor for example. Most of the reputable ones will do at least that much with no charge, and will tell you at that point what their services will cost, and a vast majority will not charge if they do not win the case or cannot reach a settlement.
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  • 11
    escrowbeamon - 9 hr. ago You might have just came up actually. Call employment lawyers ASAP and see what happens. 297 Reply Share
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  • 12
    A_Nameless OP. 9 hr. ago I'll be calling tomorrow 108 Reply Share
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  • 13
    Icelandia2112. 9 hr. ago I'm sorry that happened. I would have been apoplectic. Nothing is wrong with you; it is that person's unprofessional big mouth and coworkers' preception that is wrong. Definitly get some feedback from a lawyer (most do free 30 consult or use your EAP if offered)
    via u/A_Nameless
  • 14
    concretebear40675 11 hr. ago That's an extremely thing to do. Time to start looking for a new job. 189 Reply Share
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  • 15
    A_Nameless OP. 10 hr. ago Been looking for about 6 months. The tech sector is harsh 125 Reply Share
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  • 16
    NoAcanthopterygii945 10 hr. ago This is protected medical information. You should tell them you now have grounds for a fat lawsuit against the company. Also NEVER discuss ANY sort of mental health issues or disabilities at work. EVER. 135 Reply Share
    via u/A_Nameless
  • 17
    Past-Direction 9145 - 8 hr. ago Don't tell them any such thing. If you're gonna make a case make a case. Giving them the heads up will only make them immediately start using HR to protect themselves at your expense. Talk to a lawyer and have them tell you what you can say. A case like this could be pro per. 80 Reply Share
    via u/A_Nameless
  • 18
    A_Nameless OP. 10 hr. ago Alas, employment lawyers cost money
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  • 19
    nuclear_herring 10 hr. ago You may be able to get a free initial consultation and even find a lawyer to work on contingency.
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  • 20
    watasiwakirayo. 10 hr. ago It feels inappropriate even if she told you that in private. To me it's more about how people treat various mental states than about relationships with corporations.
    via u/A_Nameless
  • 21
    TransitJohn 9 hr. ago Enjoy the settlement money.
    via u/A_Nameless

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workplace-stories work stories toxic-workplace job work horrible-management Horrible Bosses reddit thread Reddit company toxic-work-environment
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