How to deal with colleague looking at work notebook?

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I once caught a colleague looking at my work notebook containing meeting minutes, team objectives, lists of actions etc.



My approach at the time was to jokingly tell my colleague to stop being so nosy and get back to work.



My question is should I have taken a different course of action when I caught my colleague looking through my notebook?



Further info:



  • I don't have a lockable drawer or cupboard to store the notebook

  • There was nothing commercially or personally sensitive in the notebook

  • We are peers in the same reporting structure

  • The business is medium sized, UK based

  • This colleague is notoriously, obsessively nosy as well as a gossip, but the behaviour is seen as a mere annoyance

  • This is a paper notebook, although I appreciate the answers that expand on what to do if it were an electronic notebook






share|improve this question





















  • Can you describe the incident more? For example, was he just leaning over looking at your notebook while at a meeting? Or do you mean you caught him red handed at your desk reading an open notebook?
    – Dan
    Aug 9 '16 at 19:42






  • 2




    @Dan: Caught red handed and mumbling fervently in this case.
    – WorkerWithoutACause
    Aug 9 '16 at 19:44






  • 6




    From what you describe, there's no reason your colleague shouldn't want to see minutes, action items, etc. It's a little odd that he didn't ask first, but why is this even an issue?
    – Amy Blankenship
    Aug 9 '16 at 20:37






  • 1




    @AmyBlankenship Presumably this notebook covers a lot of different topics that don't intersect with the nosy coworker's domain, but OP should clarify that in the question to be sure.
    – Lilienthal♦
    Aug 9 '16 at 21:10






  • 1




    @JoeStrazzere: Just to clarify, this is a paper notebook. I'll update to the question. Sorry for the confusion.
    – WorkerWithoutACause
    Aug 10 '16 at 10:59
















up vote
7
down vote

favorite












I once caught a colleague looking at my work notebook containing meeting minutes, team objectives, lists of actions etc.



My approach at the time was to jokingly tell my colleague to stop being so nosy and get back to work.



My question is should I have taken a different course of action when I caught my colleague looking through my notebook?



Further info:



  • I don't have a lockable drawer or cupboard to store the notebook

  • There was nothing commercially or personally sensitive in the notebook

  • We are peers in the same reporting structure

  • The business is medium sized, UK based

  • This colleague is notoriously, obsessively nosy as well as a gossip, but the behaviour is seen as a mere annoyance

  • This is a paper notebook, although I appreciate the answers that expand on what to do if it were an electronic notebook






share|improve this question





















  • Can you describe the incident more? For example, was he just leaning over looking at your notebook while at a meeting? Or do you mean you caught him red handed at your desk reading an open notebook?
    – Dan
    Aug 9 '16 at 19:42






  • 2




    @Dan: Caught red handed and mumbling fervently in this case.
    – WorkerWithoutACause
    Aug 9 '16 at 19:44






  • 6




    From what you describe, there's no reason your colleague shouldn't want to see minutes, action items, etc. It's a little odd that he didn't ask first, but why is this even an issue?
    – Amy Blankenship
    Aug 9 '16 at 20:37






  • 1




    @AmyBlankenship Presumably this notebook covers a lot of different topics that don't intersect with the nosy coworker's domain, but OP should clarify that in the question to be sure.
    – Lilienthal♦
    Aug 9 '16 at 21:10






  • 1




    @JoeStrazzere: Just to clarify, this is a paper notebook. I'll update to the question. Sorry for the confusion.
    – WorkerWithoutACause
    Aug 10 '16 at 10:59












up vote
7
down vote

favorite









up vote
7
down vote

favorite











I once caught a colleague looking at my work notebook containing meeting minutes, team objectives, lists of actions etc.



My approach at the time was to jokingly tell my colleague to stop being so nosy and get back to work.



My question is should I have taken a different course of action when I caught my colleague looking through my notebook?



Further info:



  • I don't have a lockable drawer or cupboard to store the notebook

  • There was nothing commercially or personally sensitive in the notebook

  • We are peers in the same reporting structure

  • The business is medium sized, UK based

  • This colleague is notoriously, obsessively nosy as well as a gossip, but the behaviour is seen as a mere annoyance

  • This is a paper notebook, although I appreciate the answers that expand on what to do if it were an electronic notebook






share|improve this question













I once caught a colleague looking at my work notebook containing meeting minutes, team objectives, lists of actions etc.



My approach at the time was to jokingly tell my colleague to stop being so nosy and get back to work.



My question is should I have taken a different course of action when I caught my colleague looking through my notebook?



Further info:



  • I don't have a lockable drawer or cupboard to store the notebook

  • There was nothing commercially or personally sensitive in the notebook

  • We are peers in the same reporting structure

  • The business is medium sized, UK based

  • This colleague is notoriously, obsessively nosy as well as a gossip, but the behaviour is seen as a mere annoyance

  • This is a paper notebook, although I appreciate the answers that expand on what to do if it were an electronic notebook








share|improve this question












share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited Aug 10 '16 at 11:00
























asked Aug 9 '16 at 19:32









WorkerWithoutACause

9,18563257




9,18563257











  • Can you describe the incident more? For example, was he just leaning over looking at your notebook while at a meeting? Or do you mean you caught him red handed at your desk reading an open notebook?
    – Dan
    Aug 9 '16 at 19:42






  • 2




    @Dan: Caught red handed and mumbling fervently in this case.
    – WorkerWithoutACause
    Aug 9 '16 at 19:44






  • 6




    From what you describe, there's no reason your colleague shouldn't want to see minutes, action items, etc. It's a little odd that he didn't ask first, but why is this even an issue?
    – Amy Blankenship
    Aug 9 '16 at 20:37






  • 1




    @AmyBlankenship Presumably this notebook covers a lot of different topics that don't intersect with the nosy coworker's domain, but OP should clarify that in the question to be sure.
    – Lilienthal♦
    Aug 9 '16 at 21:10






  • 1




    @JoeStrazzere: Just to clarify, this is a paper notebook. I'll update to the question. Sorry for the confusion.
    – WorkerWithoutACause
    Aug 10 '16 at 10:59
















  • Can you describe the incident more? For example, was he just leaning over looking at your notebook while at a meeting? Or do you mean you caught him red handed at your desk reading an open notebook?
    – Dan
    Aug 9 '16 at 19:42






  • 2




    @Dan: Caught red handed and mumbling fervently in this case.
    – WorkerWithoutACause
    Aug 9 '16 at 19:44






  • 6




    From what you describe, there's no reason your colleague shouldn't want to see minutes, action items, etc. It's a little odd that he didn't ask first, but why is this even an issue?
    – Amy Blankenship
    Aug 9 '16 at 20:37






  • 1




    @AmyBlankenship Presumably this notebook covers a lot of different topics that don't intersect with the nosy coworker's domain, but OP should clarify that in the question to be sure.
    – Lilienthal♦
    Aug 9 '16 at 21:10






  • 1




    @JoeStrazzere: Just to clarify, this is a paper notebook. I'll update to the question. Sorry for the confusion.
    – WorkerWithoutACause
    Aug 10 '16 at 10:59















Can you describe the incident more? For example, was he just leaning over looking at your notebook while at a meeting? Or do you mean you caught him red handed at your desk reading an open notebook?
– Dan
Aug 9 '16 at 19:42




Can you describe the incident more? For example, was he just leaning over looking at your notebook while at a meeting? Or do you mean you caught him red handed at your desk reading an open notebook?
– Dan
Aug 9 '16 at 19:42




2




2




@Dan: Caught red handed and mumbling fervently in this case.
– WorkerWithoutACause
Aug 9 '16 at 19:44




@Dan: Caught red handed and mumbling fervently in this case.
– WorkerWithoutACause
Aug 9 '16 at 19:44




6




6




From what you describe, there's no reason your colleague shouldn't want to see minutes, action items, etc. It's a little odd that he didn't ask first, but why is this even an issue?
– Amy Blankenship
Aug 9 '16 at 20:37




From what you describe, there's no reason your colleague shouldn't want to see minutes, action items, etc. It's a little odd that he didn't ask first, but why is this even an issue?
– Amy Blankenship
Aug 9 '16 at 20:37




1




1




@AmyBlankenship Presumably this notebook covers a lot of different topics that don't intersect with the nosy coworker's domain, but OP should clarify that in the question to be sure.
– Lilienthal♦
Aug 9 '16 at 21:10




@AmyBlankenship Presumably this notebook covers a lot of different topics that don't intersect with the nosy coworker's domain, but OP should clarify that in the question to be sure.
– Lilienthal♦
Aug 9 '16 at 21:10




1




1




@JoeStrazzere: Just to clarify, this is a paper notebook. I'll update to the question. Sorry for the confusion.
– WorkerWithoutACause
Aug 10 '16 at 10:59




@JoeStrazzere: Just to clarify, this is a paper notebook. I'll update to the question. Sorry for the confusion.
– WorkerWithoutACause
Aug 10 '16 at 10:59










4 Answers
4






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
10
down vote



accepted










First, I would advise against leaving any documents in reach of anyone unauthorized. Either get a briefcase or locking journal if you are going to port around a notebook. If you never have your documents accessible, nobody will access them



Second, make it clear to your coworker that his actions were unacceptable. If you think it merits a trip to HR, inform them, if not, note the time and details of the incident, and if it happens again, report the pattern of behavior to HR.






share|improve this answer




























    up vote
    11
    down vote













    You already dealt with it in the best fashion, direct and to the point. If it happens again then perhaps something more is called for, but what you did is fine.






    share|improve this answer





















    • But why? For a Q-and-A site, this answer is rather short and very specific.
      – Konerak
      Aug 11 '16 at 9:50

















    up vote
    1
    down vote













    I don't know if you should have acted differently on this first act (supposing it was the first time). Taking into account you were not sure about how bad this was, I think you couldn't have made anything better at the time. Acting without being sure isn't a good thing, after all!



    But it was indeed something bad, as your colleague could edit your texts to make you culprit of something. As direct as badmouthing your boss' mother, to as complex as making you the culprit of some money fraud. So, you should check what happened to your files, ask your colleague what he was doing, and request that he does not repeat this kind of action. Yes.



    What I will say now isn't necessarily what happened, but it's a possibility you should consider:



    Gossips can be (aren't always) a way to gain influence on the business, making the gossiper an ally of the boss, "denouncing" "lazy" or "unethical" workers (enemies of the gossiper). If this succeeds, the boss sees everything distorted due to disinformation, and the parasite gains power. Why did he want to look your documents? Is he collecting information about other people he want to attack later?



    If you do not have the authorization to allow more people to see the documents, whoever who sees is breaching the orientation of your boss. He may know better how bad was this event, as he may know something not written that the gossiper can deduce and use. After all, the bosses have all information about everything, and only reveal what they want to - would they reveal "employee Y is stupid and I will fire it as soon as I can"?. Obviously your colleague will try to say you allowed by leaving the documents there, but he would be using you as a shield against it's own misconduct, and if you take any measure to make it clear you don't like this, you have your defense made.



    To finish, don't your notebook has some kind of password to access? It should have. It's the first measure to prevent access. After this comes physical restriction, as your colleague could disassemble the notebook to access the data without needing passwords. Create one if you're allowed to, or talk to your boss about the possibility of it, if you were never allowed to do this before.






    share|improve this answer




























      up vote
      1
      down vote













      Are you talking about a notebook like a paper notepad which you write in or a notebook computer?



      If the former, it may have just been idle curiosity. You probably dealt with it in good enough fashion, but putting it in a drawer even if it isn't locked sends the clear signal that it's off limits and not likely to be tempting to idle curiosity. (If he starts going through your drawers that's a bit more serious)



      If it's a computer you mean, then just put a password on it as Anonymous said.






      share|improve this answer





















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        4 Answers
        4






        active

        oldest

        votes








        4 Answers
        4






        active

        oldest

        votes









        active

        oldest

        votes






        active

        oldest

        votes








        up vote
        10
        down vote



        accepted










        First, I would advise against leaving any documents in reach of anyone unauthorized. Either get a briefcase or locking journal if you are going to port around a notebook. If you never have your documents accessible, nobody will access them



        Second, make it clear to your coworker that his actions were unacceptable. If you think it merits a trip to HR, inform them, if not, note the time and details of the incident, and if it happens again, report the pattern of behavior to HR.






        share|improve this answer

























          up vote
          10
          down vote



          accepted










          First, I would advise against leaving any documents in reach of anyone unauthorized. Either get a briefcase or locking journal if you are going to port around a notebook. If you never have your documents accessible, nobody will access them



          Second, make it clear to your coworker that his actions were unacceptable. If you think it merits a trip to HR, inform them, if not, note the time and details of the incident, and if it happens again, report the pattern of behavior to HR.






          share|improve this answer























            up vote
            10
            down vote



            accepted







            up vote
            10
            down vote



            accepted






            First, I would advise against leaving any documents in reach of anyone unauthorized. Either get a briefcase or locking journal if you are going to port around a notebook. If you never have your documents accessible, nobody will access them



            Second, make it clear to your coworker that his actions were unacceptable. If you think it merits a trip to HR, inform them, if not, note the time and details of the incident, and if it happens again, report the pattern of behavior to HR.






            share|improve this answer













            First, I would advise against leaving any documents in reach of anyone unauthorized. Either get a briefcase or locking journal if you are going to port around a notebook. If you never have your documents accessible, nobody will access them



            Second, make it clear to your coworker that his actions were unacceptable. If you think it merits a trip to HR, inform them, if not, note the time and details of the incident, and if it happens again, report the pattern of behavior to HR.







            share|improve this answer













            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer











            answered Aug 9 '16 at 20:25









            Richard U

            77.2k56200307




            77.2k56200307






















                up vote
                11
                down vote













                You already dealt with it in the best fashion, direct and to the point. If it happens again then perhaps something more is called for, but what you did is fine.






                share|improve this answer





















                • But why? For a Q-and-A site, this answer is rather short and very specific.
                  – Konerak
                  Aug 11 '16 at 9:50














                up vote
                11
                down vote













                You already dealt with it in the best fashion, direct and to the point. If it happens again then perhaps something more is called for, but what you did is fine.






                share|improve this answer





















                • But why? For a Q-and-A site, this answer is rather short and very specific.
                  – Konerak
                  Aug 11 '16 at 9:50












                up vote
                11
                down vote










                up vote
                11
                down vote









                You already dealt with it in the best fashion, direct and to the point. If it happens again then perhaps something more is called for, but what you did is fine.






                share|improve this answer













                You already dealt with it in the best fashion, direct and to the point. If it happens again then perhaps something more is called for, but what you did is fine.







                share|improve this answer













                share|improve this answer



                share|improve this answer











                answered Aug 10 '16 at 9:11









                Kilisi

                94.3k50216374




                94.3k50216374











                • But why? For a Q-and-A site, this answer is rather short and very specific.
                  – Konerak
                  Aug 11 '16 at 9:50
















                • But why? For a Q-and-A site, this answer is rather short and very specific.
                  – Konerak
                  Aug 11 '16 at 9:50















                But why? For a Q-and-A site, this answer is rather short and very specific.
                – Konerak
                Aug 11 '16 at 9:50




                But why? For a Q-and-A site, this answer is rather short and very specific.
                – Konerak
                Aug 11 '16 at 9:50










                up vote
                1
                down vote













                I don't know if you should have acted differently on this first act (supposing it was the first time). Taking into account you were not sure about how bad this was, I think you couldn't have made anything better at the time. Acting without being sure isn't a good thing, after all!



                But it was indeed something bad, as your colleague could edit your texts to make you culprit of something. As direct as badmouthing your boss' mother, to as complex as making you the culprit of some money fraud. So, you should check what happened to your files, ask your colleague what he was doing, and request that he does not repeat this kind of action. Yes.



                What I will say now isn't necessarily what happened, but it's a possibility you should consider:



                Gossips can be (aren't always) a way to gain influence on the business, making the gossiper an ally of the boss, "denouncing" "lazy" or "unethical" workers (enemies of the gossiper). If this succeeds, the boss sees everything distorted due to disinformation, and the parasite gains power. Why did he want to look your documents? Is he collecting information about other people he want to attack later?



                If you do not have the authorization to allow more people to see the documents, whoever who sees is breaching the orientation of your boss. He may know better how bad was this event, as he may know something not written that the gossiper can deduce and use. After all, the bosses have all information about everything, and only reveal what they want to - would they reveal "employee Y is stupid and I will fire it as soon as I can"?. Obviously your colleague will try to say you allowed by leaving the documents there, but he would be using you as a shield against it's own misconduct, and if you take any measure to make it clear you don't like this, you have your defense made.



                To finish, don't your notebook has some kind of password to access? It should have. It's the first measure to prevent access. After this comes physical restriction, as your colleague could disassemble the notebook to access the data without needing passwords. Create one if you're allowed to, or talk to your boss about the possibility of it, if you were never allowed to do this before.






                share|improve this answer

























                  up vote
                  1
                  down vote













                  I don't know if you should have acted differently on this first act (supposing it was the first time). Taking into account you were not sure about how bad this was, I think you couldn't have made anything better at the time. Acting without being sure isn't a good thing, after all!



                  But it was indeed something bad, as your colleague could edit your texts to make you culprit of something. As direct as badmouthing your boss' mother, to as complex as making you the culprit of some money fraud. So, you should check what happened to your files, ask your colleague what he was doing, and request that he does not repeat this kind of action. Yes.



                  What I will say now isn't necessarily what happened, but it's a possibility you should consider:



                  Gossips can be (aren't always) a way to gain influence on the business, making the gossiper an ally of the boss, "denouncing" "lazy" or "unethical" workers (enemies of the gossiper). If this succeeds, the boss sees everything distorted due to disinformation, and the parasite gains power. Why did he want to look your documents? Is he collecting information about other people he want to attack later?



                  If you do not have the authorization to allow more people to see the documents, whoever who sees is breaching the orientation of your boss. He may know better how bad was this event, as he may know something not written that the gossiper can deduce and use. After all, the bosses have all information about everything, and only reveal what they want to - would they reveal "employee Y is stupid and I will fire it as soon as I can"?. Obviously your colleague will try to say you allowed by leaving the documents there, but he would be using you as a shield against it's own misconduct, and if you take any measure to make it clear you don't like this, you have your defense made.



                  To finish, don't your notebook has some kind of password to access? It should have. It's the first measure to prevent access. After this comes physical restriction, as your colleague could disassemble the notebook to access the data without needing passwords. Create one if you're allowed to, or talk to your boss about the possibility of it, if you were never allowed to do this before.






                  share|improve this answer























                    up vote
                    1
                    down vote










                    up vote
                    1
                    down vote









                    I don't know if you should have acted differently on this first act (supposing it was the first time). Taking into account you were not sure about how bad this was, I think you couldn't have made anything better at the time. Acting without being sure isn't a good thing, after all!



                    But it was indeed something bad, as your colleague could edit your texts to make you culprit of something. As direct as badmouthing your boss' mother, to as complex as making you the culprit of some money fraud. So, you should check what happened to your files, ask your colleague what he was doing, and request that he does not repeat this kind of action. Yes.



                    What I will say now isn't necessarily what happened, but it's a possibility you should consider:



                    Gossips can be (aren't always) a way to gain influence on the business, making the gossiper an ally of the boss, "denouncing" "lazy" or "unethical" workers (enemies of the gossiper). If this succeeds, the boss sees everything distorted due to disinformation, and the parasite gains power. Why did he want to look your documents? Is he collecting information about other people he want to attack later?



                    If you do not have the authorization to allow more people to see the documents, whoever who sees is breaching the orientation of your boss. He may know better how bad was this event, as he may know something not written that the gossiper can deduce and use. After all, the bosses have all information about everything, and only reveal what they want to - would they reveal "employee Y is stupid and I will fire it as soon as I can"?. Obviously your colleague will try to say you allowed by leaving the documents there, but he would be using you as a shield against it's own misconduct, and if you take any measure to make it clear you don't like this, you have your defense made.



                    To finish, don't your notebook has some kind of password to access? It should have. It's the first measure to prevent access. After this comes physical restriction, as your colleague could disassemble the notebook to access the data without needing passwords. Create one if you're allowed to, or talk to your boss about the possibility of it, if you were never allowed to do this before.






                    share|improve this answer













                    I don't know if you should have acted differently on this first act (supposing it was the first time). Taking into account you were not sure about how bad this was, I think you couldn't have made anything better at the time. Acting without being sure isn't a good thing, after all!



                    But it was indeed something bad, as your colleague could edit your texts to make you culprit of something. As direct as badmouthing your boss' mother, to as complex as making you the culprit of some money fraud. So, you should check what happened to your files, ask your colleague what he was doing, and request that he does not repeat this kind of action. Yes.



                    What I will say now isn't necessarily what happened, but it's a possibility you should consider:



                    Gossips can be (aren't always) a way to gain influence on the business, making the gossiper an ally of the boss, "denouncing" "lazy" or "unethical" workers (enemies of the gossiper). If this succeeds, the boss sees everything distorted due to disinformation, and the parasite gains power. Why did he want to look your documents? Is he collecting information about other people he want to attack later?



                    If you do not have the authorization to allow more people to see the documents, whoever who sees is breaching the orientation of your boss. He may know better how bad was this event, as he may know something not written that the gossiper can deduce and use. After all, the bosses have all information about everything, and only reveal what they want to - would they reveal "employee Y is stupid and I will fire it as soon as I can"?. Obviously your colleague will try to say you allowed by leaving the documents there, but he would be using you as a shield against it's own misconduct, and if you take any measure to make it clear you don't like this, you have your defense made.



                    To finish, don't your notebook has some kind of password to access? It should have. It's the first measure to prevent access. After this comes physical restriction, as your colleague could disassemble the notebook to access the data without needing passwords. Create one if you're allowed to, or talk to your boss about the possibility of it, if you were never allowed to do this before.







                    share|improve this answer













                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer











                    answered Aug 10 '16 at 7:33









                    Anonymous

                    254




                    254




















                        up vote
                        1
                        down vote













                        Are you talking about a notebook like a paper notepad which you write in or a notebook computer?



                        If the former, it may have just been idle curiosity. You probably dealt with it in good enough fashion, but putting it in a drawer even if it isn't locked sends the clear signal that it's off limits and not likely to be tempting to idle curiosity. (If he starts going through your drawers that's a bit more serious)



                        If it's a computer you mean, then just put a password on it as Anonymous said.






                        share|improve this answer

























                          up vote
                          1
                          down vote













                          Are you talking about a notebook like a paper notepad which you write in or a notebook computer?



                          If the former, it may have just been idle curiosity. You probably dealt with it in good enough fashion, but putting it in a drawer even if it isn't locked sends the clear signal that it's off limits and not likely to be tempting to idle curiosity. (If he starts going through your drawers that's a bit more serious)



                          If it's a computer you mean, then just put a password on it as Anonymous said.






                          share|improve this answer























                            up vote
                            1
                            down vote










                            up vote
                            1
                            down vote









                            Are you talking about a notebook like a paper notepad which you write in or a notebook computer?



                            If the former, it may have just been idle curiosity. You probably dealt with it in good enough fashion, but putting it in a drawer even if it isn't locked sends the clear signal that it's off limits and not likely to be tempting to idle curiosity. (If he starts going through your drawers that's a bit more serious)



                            If it's a computer you mean, then just put a password on it as Anonymous said.






                            share|improve this answer













                            Are you talking about a notebook like a paper notepad which you write in or a notebook computer?



                            If the former, it may have just been idle curiosity. You probably dealt with it in good enough fashion, but putting it in a drawer even if it isn't locked sends the clear signal that it's off limits and not likely to be tempting to idle curiosity. (If he starts going through your drawers that's a bit more serious)



                            If it's a computer you mean, then just put a password on it as Anonymous said.







                            share|improve this answer













                            share|improve this answer



                            share|improve this answer











                            answered Aug 10 '16 at 10:19









                            colmde

                            4,078921




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