A
female
age
41-50,
anonymous
writes:A year ago I split with my ex partner leaving behind an abusive relationship where my ex had been given a suspended sentence for assaulting me.I've moved on with my life and am a lot happier.This week though I discovered that my ex has a new job at a company that I am a client of. My concern is that as a result of this role he will have access to information about me that is personal and that I would not want him to be able to have.Do I contact the company and flag my concern which could potentially bring more trouble to my door or do nothing?
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female
reader, Ciar  +, writes (12 March 2017):
 The issue isn't whether or not he'll share the information, it's that, as an employee, he may have access to it.
The fact that something is illegal is not a guarantee of safety. I'm not going to leave my front door unlocked simply because it's against the law for someone to enter without my permission. Assault is illegal, but he did it anyway.
I don't know what bringing your concerns to his employer's attention will accomplish besides risking his job. They may have the best of intentions but unless they fire him how will you be assured he can't access your account? And if he is fired, that might provoke him. Not that I give a fig about his feelings, but given his violent history, there is some danger to you.
My advice is to move your account to another company without going into details. If asked you can answer without identifying him.
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (9 March 2017): Under the UK's Data Protection Act, the company can not disclose any of your information to anyone else. If they did, it would be illegal.
But, to ensure that there are no slip-ups, I suggest that you do two things:
1. Talk to your own HR department and outline your situation and explain that you do not want to run any risk of your ex partner finding out any of your personal details.
2. Approach the company and stress that, although they hold personal information about you, you do not want that information to be forwarded to anyone else under any circumstances. You don't have to explain why, you just make the request. The company is obliged to go with your wishes and is obliged to adhere to the UK's Data Protection Act.
Also, is there any way that you could step back from being a client of your ex partner's company, and have your role taken over by one of your colleagues? If you did this, you could request that the company remove all record of your details from their files.
I hope this helps.
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A
reader, anonymous, writes (9 March 2017): Most companies have responsibility to protect your records under third-party disclosure laws; not even a police officer can access your personal records without a court order.
If you have access to personal information about clients; you are required to maintain that client's privacy or face severe penalties for illegal access or disclosure. He'd place the company under serious liability and could face immediate termination.
He'd be taking a big risk. I find it hard to believe someone with a record of assault has access to sensitive client information. He's lucky to be working at all.
First of all, only certain people have clearance to access client information. Protection of your address, phone number, and privacy is the company's legal responsibility. He would have to justify the reason for bringing up the file. Which means there is a paper trail left behind when he does. His identification or access code will show that he entered your records. You can complain to customer service only if you have proof your privacy has been breached.
No, you do not have to contact his company based on fear of what he "might do." You are acting only on an assumption he will access the information. If he never does, than you have made an unsubstantiated complaint against him and jeopardized his employment.
It's a small world, and he can find you through family members or social media. If he knows where you shop, gets your car fixed, or has general knowledge of your habits; he can find you. So you should have a restraining or protection order already in place. Let the police handle it. If you know where he works, he'd be just as informed about your whereabouts anyway. You obviously know his private info as well.
If he shows-up at your residence unexpectedly; call the police and enforce the protection order. You can also close your account and open a new one with another company since you know he could have possible access to information regarding your whereabouts or other sensitive information.
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A
male
reader, anonymous, writes (9 March 2017): I agree with Honeypie you should contact the said company and express your fear to them but also without jeopardising his career as he has already paid his penalty for assulting you.
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A
female
reader, Honeypie  +, writes (9 March 2017):
 If I were you, I'd contact your OWN company's HR and go from there. It's your company's job to protect your information, not the one HE works for (if that makes sense).
You can also contact Citizen's Advice
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/law-and-courts/
(which I would as well as talking to the HR - as CA can give you LEGAL advice whereas HR might consider the company OVER you.)
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