Who is at fault in this situation?

Question

A supervisor and her assistant make a habit of talking about employees to other employees. Nothing slanderous, just gossip...but sometimes things about the employee's job performance that they do not tell directly to the employee, just other select co-workers. Finally, the co-workers get together and begin comparing notes. They agree not to confront the supervisor and her assistant but just to stop talking with them on a personal basis. One employee quits (without repeating what the others have told her, as agreed) and another begins confronting the supervisor with everything the employee who quit told her they said. They deny it and say that employee is only trying to hurt her. When it is suggested that they all get together and talk, the supervisor refuses. Supervisor calls the employee who quit and says, "How could you repeat these things after all I have done for you?" Now the employee who quit cannot get a job reference from them and cannot come back into the building for any reason. Who is at fault here? The supervisor, the employee who confronted them or the employee who quit after telling what she heard being said about the others?

Answer 1

The supervisor. The employee should go to a manager and complain about the supervisors behaviour before it gets too far out of hand. Bullying in the work place is taken very seriously nowadays.

Answer 2

Everyone who thought the gossip was acceptable to begin with.

Answer 3

assistant shouldnt have repeated anything...Not good..

Answer 4

Without doubt, the supervisor.

It is a superior's job to keep information about employees confidential, unless there is an issue. In which case there are policies that govern actions.

It is NEVER appropriate (and in come places illegal) for a supervisor to discuss employees with other employees.