Confidential Payslip Issue - Need Advice

teslacoil33 on 30/05/2022 - 11:05
Last edited 30/05/2022 - 21:37

I've got quite the quandary. Looking for some OzB advice.

I've recently been accepted for a new job. I'm currently just finishing up at my old workplace. I thought it would be a good idea to have a look at my payslips to make sure they're all in order. Having never done this before I went on to our intranet site and searched 'payslip'. What came up was a document containing the payslips of every employee at my company (only about 20 people) myself included!

I'm obviously a bit concerned that this confidential information is available to anyone using the intranet. What's interesting however, is that I can see some employees have been getting fairly screwed over in their pay rate i.e people employed for less time getting paid more than others who have been at the company longer.

I'm not really sure how to proceed here. Firstly, I'm quite annoyed that my confidential information is available for anyone to see. Secondly, I almost feel compelled to advised other employees to take a look at this document to see how they are getting screwed over so they can negotiate/demand more. But I think I need to tread carefully here, as I don't want to get myself into hot water.

What would you guys do in this situation?

Education & Work

Comments

  • Chris Topher on 30/05/2022 - 20:37
    -5

    The worst part of this is that you actually scrutinised the other information.

    • cookie2 on 31/05/2022 - 21:04
      +2

      How is THAT the WORST part? Should we, on seeing information that looks interesting but odd , go "omg omg quick get out, don't look, don't think, arggghhh"? Or should we actually read and assess what we're seeing?

  • jetblack on 31/05/2022 - 08:14
    +2

    Another option. Just have open conversations with colleagues about pay without even mentioning the breach (except to a higher up who should be aware to handle it). 'I am on x, my next job is paying y… What are you on?'

    A chance to achieve the positive outcome you want while protecting everyone's privacy if they don't wish to disclose…

    Also, what is on your payslip that you don't want others to see, while at the same time being all for transparency for everyone to see how they compare?

    • Trekky on 31/05/2022 - 08:37

      In a previous job, the paydocket was emailed to me. Also my bank account details were on it, along with my annual salary.

    • teslacoil33 on 31/05/2022 - 12:06
      +4

      I like the idea of chatting to colleagues about pay without mentioning the breach, seems like a far safer option.

      • gromit on 02/06/2022 - 13:52

        Given what you have admitted to doing on this forum, unless you are 100% certain no one could ever connect who you are then keep your mouth shut and move on. You can only cause problems and lose out in the long run. Especially if someone realises you have been illegally accessing information about them.

  • b0rnwithabeard on 31/05/2022 - 09:16
    +1

    i guess it depends on your relationship with your employer and fellow employees. You’re on your way out, I’d be inclined to forget I saw anything and just go about your day.

    You don’t know the reasons why some people are getting paid what they are, so I’d steer clear of having that conversation with anyone. Not your monkeys, not your circus.

  • LFO on 31/05/2022 - 10:19

    that this confidential information is available to anyone using the intranet.

    Are Pay Slips that confidential?

    Is your intranet login having unlimited Admin access?

    • brad1-8tsi on 01/06/2022 - 17:32

      Are Pay Slips that confidential?

      I don't care if people know my annual rate but it can be embarrassing if your pay is being garnisheed, or maybe you do a lot of OT. The detail should be private.

  • thestig on 31/05/2022 - 11:16

    Why would you be bothered if other people you work with know what you get paid?

  • st1ng on 31/05/2022 - 15:18
    +1

    So I had this happen at a company I worked at. If I didn't know any better, I think OP might be at the same company. When I left, I did nothing. It's not my business to know what others were getting paid, nor my job to fix their poor security.

  • Drakesy on 31/05/2022 - 18:27
    +2

    I reckon if a company wants to screw over its loyal employees then go to town on them

  • techlead on 31/05/2022 - 19:32
    +10

    Loyalty never pays, whether as an employee or a customer.

    The sooner you realize that, the better off you are.

    Also, pay shouldn't be based on tenure, it should be based on output. If someone's been there for 10 years doing the bare minimum while someone new may be more ambitious and actively work to create more value for the company, then that person should absolutely be paid more than the person doing the bare minimum. I know I'm being paid more than other members of my team who has been there longer and alot older than me. The results I deliver is more, hence I should rightly be paid more.

  • techlead on 31/05/2022 - 19:39

    Since you said your company only has 20 employees, seems to be a small enterprise. I think you should let your manager know or something more senior but not directly related to the IT department. The reason is you don't want that person trying to sweep it under the rug. Its a serious privacy breach.

    If you worked for a big company, you can go to HR or they may have a confidential hotline for breaches. For smaller companies, there will not be as many governance teams in place.

    You should do it asap though, don't sit on it too long otherwise you'd have to explain why you waited so long. You shouldn't stay quiet too because this kind of breach will be discovered sooner or later and they may check to see who access it and you'd need to explain why you didn't report it.

  • belongsinforums on 31/05/2022 - 19:44

    Had something similar happen before as the person in charge of some confidential documents left them on the server available to everyone. Mentioned it to someone higher up and left it at that.

  • node modules on 31/05/2022 - 20:00

    I'd save them. If you know how to play your cards right, you can use it as leverage and build bridges.

  • Brick Tamland on 31/05/2022 - 20:09
    -3

    I dont think you are that concerned about privacy if you are happier enough to browse other employee pay slips.

    • johnno07 on 02/06/2022 - 08:04
      -1

      Mate read the bloody post before commenting.

      • Brick Tamland on 02/06/2022 - 11:33
        +1

        Ok. I re-read it but I still standby my comment. I am not sure what point you are tying to make?

        • johnno07 on 02/06/2022 - 12:02
          +2

          Innocently opening a file that someone else has put in the wrong place taking a moment to see wtf it is and becoming concerned that privacy has been breached !== "browsing other employee's payslips".

          • gromit on 02/06/2022 - 13:56
            +2

            @johnno07: the innocent excuse stops when he continues to read the payslips knowing full well they aren't his and then is wondering how to tell other people about the discrepancies in pay he discovered by comparing everyones payslips rather than reporting the breach.

            • Brick Tamland on 02/06/2022 - 15:07
              +2

              @gromit: Exactly. It’s like that bloke who found that ATM glitch and kept pulling out cash that wasn’t his. Just becuase something is there, rightly or wrongly, doesn’t mean it’s open slather.

  • tikei on 31/05/2022 - 20:41

    Happened to me when I was at a small company. I just ignored it. I was only there briefly and wasn't close to anyone so didn't care enough.

  • 2025 on 31/05/2022 - 20:47
    +1

    Why not let everyone know? See something wrong, call it out?

    In the interests of revealing the gender pay gap, of course. Seems like the moral high ground to me.

  • Korban Dallas on 31/05/2022 - 20:58
    +1

    I have found a heap of dirty NSFW stuff in old emails from the boss that are about 15 years old.

    Like really really bad stuff that was emailed around, personal communications.

    Took this to management.

    Nothing ever happened.

    That will teach me for searching for 'style' and I found a doggy.

    Conversely I am one of the highest paid at work and feel sorry for others. But you gotta negotiate.

  • AlanHB on 31/05/2022 - 23:24
    +1

    Email your company's privacy officer, let them know you can view everyone's pay and they might want to look into that.

    • John Kimble on 01/06/2022 - 06:49

      A company of 20 people would have a privacy officer?

      • johnno07 on 02/06/2022 - 08:04

        Haha yeah it absolutely won't.

  • Wilson Wallace on 31/05/2022 - 23:32
    -1

    Report it

  • rlf on 01/06/2022 - 00:19

    I'm guessing the people you think are being paid more are casual/contractors which gives them a higher rate without benefits/security.

  • Jimmycfc on 01/06/2022 - 01:30

    This has happened at my work with medical documents on Sharepoint…
    You should definitely report it to supervisor/IT/Doc Control - This is a privacy breach

  • AustriaBargain on 01/06/2022 - 05:48

    Is that information actually confidential?

    • gromit on 02/06/2022 - 15:38
      +1

      yes it is, an individual can share their payslip with anyone they like, a company cannot share private information about you without your consent and has a duty of care to protect said data. Someone that should not have permission to access that information should immediately stop accessing it the second they realise what it is and report it. It is a privacy breach. It would also be considered company confidential data on top of being privacy data as it reveals information they would usually consider confidential so using it or sharing it with anyone can have serious personal legal repercussions for the poster.

  • syousef on 01/06/2022 - 08:02

    Amazed that you think it was a good idea to try to get advice here, and that you're publicly admitting to scrutinizing the data after you realized what it was. You're not even using a throw-away OzB account!

    The only thing you can safely do is immediately close the document once you realize what it is and report the issue privately to HR/payroll and/or your manager. Even pretending you haven't come across it might land you in hot water if they keep records of who opened which file.

    • John Kimble on 01/06/2022 - 08:12

      The file should not be there/accessible to anyone in the first place.

      • syousef on 01/06/2022 - 08:28
        +3

        Of course it shouldn't but that doesn't mean OP gets to scrutinize the information and share it widely.

        Unbelievable that I'm getting downvoted here and that people are suggesting OP is free to just take the data. You're not doing OP any favours here. People go to gaol for such things.

        • Brick Tamland on 01/06/2022 - 10:50
          +3

          Totally agree. That data shouldn't be unrestricted but that doesnt give you full rights to look.

          • syousef on 01/06/2022 - 14:47
            -1

            @Brick Tamland: Really can't believe the moderation on this forum. People are getting advice to commit crimes and when you correct that you're the one that gets downvoted. Mods do absolutely nothing.

            • John Kimble on 01/06/2022 - 14:49

              @syousef: Mods can't read every comment, you need to lodge a report.

              • syousef on 01/06/2022 - 19:20
                -1

                @John Kimble: You don't think I've done that in the past? I've given up. The entire anonymous downvoting thing is just a bullying mechanism and should be abolished.

                • John Kimble on 01/06/2022 - 19:24
                  +2

                  @syousef: I don't take downvotes personally. 🤷🏻‍♂️

                  For me a plus vote means they agree or like your comment.

                  A neg vote means they disagree or don't like your comment.

                  I don't see how it can be bullying? But I do think the names should be listed just like plus votes.

                  • syousef on 01/06/2022 - 19:37
                    +1

                    @John Kimble: Mate I've had people follow around and downvote me on other topics because they didn't like what I said on one. Of course without the names I can't prove it, but when innocuous and non-controvertial messages get downvoted right after you get into a heated argument it's difficult to infer anything else.

                    The real issue in this case isn't "bullying" - it's the fact that correct information is being downvoted while legally dangerous nonsense is getting upvoted. Just because you stumble across private information in your role, that doesn't mean it's free and legal to take copies, discuss it and spread it. I'm certainly no lawyer and this isn't legal advice but anyone that's done any kind of study on basic ethics or taken one of those computer based courses employers are now fond of making you repeat every year ought to have a better clue than some of the lame made up nonsense I'm seeing in this thread.

                    • John Kimble on 01/06/2022 - 19:56

                      @syousef:

                      Mate I've had people follow around and downvote me on other topics because they didn't like what I said on one. Of course without the names I can't prove it, but when innocuous and non-controvertial messages get downvoted right after you get into a heated argument it's difficult to infer anything else.

                      I'll give you the benefit of the doubt on this one.

                      Full disclosure, in this case, I was the first person to downvote your first comment…I haven't been stalking you.

                      • syousef on 01/06/2022 - 20:23
                        +3

                        @John Kimble: Ok, serious question: Why did you downvote?

                        People seem to be commenting here with no knowledge or understanding of what the OP's legal responsibilities might be.

                        No, you can't continue to examine data you know you should not have access to.
                        No, you shouldn't be telling other people who may also access the data about the breach.
                        No, you shouldn't be disclosing the breach to strangers on Internet message boards.
                        No, you shouldn't be discussing it with your colleagues.
                        No, you shouldn't be copying it outside of the company.
                        No, you shouldn't destroy evidence of wrong-doing.
                        No, you shouldn't be ignoring it and pretending it didn't happen.
                        Yes, you are in fact obliged to report it to someone in authority within your organization. That might be HR, your direct manager, or a senior manager or a privacy officer depending on company policies.

                        Now I'm not saying that it's not possible for people to get annoyed with you or try to throw some of the blame on you if you do the right thing, but the right thing is something that an office employee ought to know.

                        • John Kimble on 01/06/2022 - 20:36
                          -1

                          @syousef: Because my view is the main party at fault is the person who incorrectly uploaded it, as I stated. You can't blame the OP for reading the document, they've opened it thinking it has something to do with their pay.

                          I agree with everything else, ie they shouldn't download or disseminate it etc

                          • gromit on 02/06/2022 - 14:07
                            +1

                            @John Kimble: You can't blame the OP for accidentally opening the document, nor reading until he realised what it was. however for not reporting the issue thus leaving everyone exposed and then proceding to inspect everyones pay and looking for how to disseminate that information you absolutely can blame him for and potentially even prosecute him for.

  • Nebargains on 01/06/2022 - 09:43

    Mention it to the boss and leave it at that, definitely not worth burning your bridges over.

  • Seraphin7 on 01/06/2022 - 10:49
    +4

    C'mon man … just do the right thing.

    Download your payslips and alert the relevant people (boss, HR) as to the issue.

    Don't mention what else you have seen, don't suggest that some people are under/overpaid vs. colleagues, don't speak to anyone else, don't tip off information to "friends", etc., etc.

    The harsh, but simple reality of the world is that not everyone doing the "same job" is going to be paid the same amount.

    Some people may have been employed during a skill shortage, to fill a need an urgent need, or have specific skills that mean they are paid more than their peers.

    Some people may be more highly valued than others in terms of future potential and the extra payment is effectively a retention bonus.

    Some people are just better negotiators than others and have managed to pry more out of the business at the point of hiring or along the way.

  • us3rnam3tak3n on 01/06/2022 - 10:58
    +1

    It's quite normal for salaries of long term employees to slip behind new hires. The long termers aren't seen as a risk of loss by the company and better rates are needed to entice new talent. I'm not arguing that's it's right, just that it's happened everywhere I've worked except where they have strict pay bands.

    • serpserpserp on 01/06/2022 - 23:10

      that it's happened everywhere I've worked except where they have strict pay bands.

      I know a few places where they refuse to max out long term employees in their band because then they have no leverage. While they hire new people to the max of that band and help them work hard to get a better job in a new band.

  • trapper on 01/06/2022 - 11:31
    +2

    Use this opportunity to research what everyone else is being paid and where you fit in. It may help you in future salary negotiations.

    But don't copy, print or otherwise save anything.

    If one of your workmates who get on well with is being underpaid I would bring this up in a casual conversation about salaries in general, maybe at the pub. Get the point across that he should be on $20k more or whatever, but don't reveal anything about the payslips.

    • serpserpserp on 01/06/2022 - 23:08
      +1

      Better yet, just casually ask every employee what they get paid and see who tells the truth.

  • happyhammer on 01/06/2022 - 15:41

    Had this happen in a previous workplace but in a shared folder. Leveraged the information to get a small pay rise, but kept it to myself. Since you're leaving already, just tell the boss and leave on a good note :)

  • serpserpserp on 01/06/2022 - 23:07

    You need to write a post it note with a name of someone who is an employee and their salary, then post it on another person's desk. Do this for all employees. Watch the hilarity ensue.

  • gromit on 02/06/2022 - 10:31
    +3

    three issues here,

    First. the company stuffed up by making them visible.
    Second. You should have immediately reported this to them upon discovering it.
    thirdly. By opening and reading them you have intentionally violated peoples privacy, The fact you know you should not have access and yet continue to access this has lots of potential legal ramifications for you. Don't talk about anything to anyone about anything you saw in those files and absolutely STOP looking at them.

  • IpGem on 02/06/2022 - 12:33

    What's interesting however, is that I can see some employees have been getting fairly screwed over in their pay rate i.e people employed for less time getting paid more than others who have been at the company longer.

    Hmm not up you mate i am afraid, you should've stopped right where you discovered you can acess other's payslips and reported in writing to your management, maybe waited out and reported after you switch, if you're scared. Or at least shouldn't have mentioned here. This could get you in boiling water not hot.

  • leiiv on 02/06/2022 - 13:03
    +2

    What's interesting however, is that I can see some employees have been getting fairly screwed over in their pay rate i.e people employed for less time getting paid more than others who have been at the company longer.

    Where have you been? It has been like that literally everywhere since like forever. Welcome to capitalism.

  • provision on 02/06/2022 - 14:49
    +3

    It's humorous that you're complaining about a breach of your confidentiality but also had the audacity to continue looking through other's personal information with the veil of altruistic intent. My only hope is that those who were "screwed" weren't falling into the illegal pay category.

    This information shouldn't be public and would best be highlighted to someone who handles these types of issues to rectify the problem.

  • John Kimble on 02/06/2022 - 15:55

    I find it weird that talking about salaries in most "professional white collar" jobs is basically taboo and sometimes there's even company policies saying you cannot discuss them. I don't know why that is?

    Puzzlingly, you also have other professions like sports people or actors where it's public information! Why is it okay for them?

    • john_conner on 02/06/2022 - 17:44
      +2

      Furthermore the CEO’s salary is published in the annual report

    • gromit on 03/06/2022 - 16:17
      +1

      talking about salaries isn't really taboo, many places do discourage the practise as often it is not a healthy topic to discuss, people are paid more or less for a lot of reasons that are not obvious from just a salary discussion. e.g. time of year you were hired, forced market conditions to pay higher rates to some people which won't be reflected to all till next review cycle (if ever) , company belief in their long term viabililty benefit etc etc.high profile positions and sports stars etc is a very different category as they are all highly negotiated packages with professionals doing the negotiations on their behalf.

      Important to remember a payslip is in an entirely different category again, depending on the company this can have a LOT of personal information besides just your pay for the week/month/year like TFN, bank details, allowances, salary sacrifices, leave etc.

      • John Kimble on 03/06/2022 - 16:20

        talking about salaries isn't really taboo

        In my experience it is. Have you tried asking people? Or even close friends you don't even work with? Chances are they won't tell you or at least look uncomfortable being asked.

        Important to remember a payslip is in an entirely different category again, depending on the company this can have a LOT of personal information besides just your pay for the week/month/year like TFN, bank details, allowances, salary sacrifices, leave etc.

        Of course.

        • gromit on 03/06/2022 - 17:14
          +1

          yeah I don't have much issue discussing pay with friends or work colleagues. I know what my friends earn and have a rough idea what all my colleagues earn too (where I work it is a large enterprise where the pay scale ranges are made available to all staff so you can easily see for yourself where you fall within the position you work within, i.e. whether you are below average, average or above average.)

  • hasher22 on 03/06/2022 - 22:54
    1. Get your payslips
    2. Write an email to HR, your boss or payroll and tell them the payslips are visible to everyone. If they ask you if you opened any of the other files, say no.
    3. Leave

    It's their problem, not yours. The best course of action is to raise it and they can sort it out.

  • tonka on 11/06/2022 - 03:29

    Sounds like someone has made an error in saving that info, people make mistakes. Just because you could read the info didn't give you the right to do so, and I suspect you knew it was wrong as you did it. You should have advised HR or someone senior asap without infringing on your workmates privacy. If someone had accidentally left some employee files on a lunch room table, would it be ok to crack them open and read them, it's the same thing.

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