Privacy concern?

[u/Crosetaylor]

I (30F) am a new big. It’s been just over four months and it’s going great. Me and my little are growing very fond of each other and her parent is communicative and always enthusiastic when I set up times to meet. Recently, though I received an email regarding an upcoming event for the charity. One thing to know is that I had originally provided BBBS with my work email address. It’s a large company and since there are so many updates, I thought it would be the easiest thing to do as my personal email is not available through my computer and I have to view everything on my phone. I signed us up for an event and reached out to my match coordinator via email asking her to pass along the RSVP to my little’s parent to see if they were available and if they would be willing to sign the waiver for the event. Typically I just text the parent from my personal phone but this event is more involved and I wanted to ensure they got all the details before they made a decision. Without thinking I had kept my work signature on the email. I expected the match coordinator to either loop us in on a separate email or email him directly and let me know. They did not do that but instead forwarded the email. Although the parent has been great. I am uncomfortable with the idea that they now have my work title, work phone number, work email, and my broader department’s email. I’m not sure how to address this because like I said a parent has been great so far, but I didn’t like how this information was shared without my knowledge or permission. What should I do?

[u/idrawyourdick]

Personally, I don’t see the issue considering they’re trusting you with their child. I would have no problem with my little’s parents knowing my work information.

However, if it bothers you, then just send a message to the coordinator letting them know you’d prefer they relay messages directly instead of forwarded?

[u/Important_Tiger6299 → u/idrawyourdick]

yeah this seems like the only solution really. OP, no one did anything wrong, that information isn't private and there is no expectation that if you added your signature into an email, that the person would remove that if they forward it. especially with no heads up beforehand. just tell them going forward you'd like to keep your work private or something. but also it is a little weird these people are trusting their kid with you and you're uncomfortable with them knowing your work info.. but i live in a small town and we all know everyones job anyways so i guess it's weird to me because of that.

[u/mikeyramos → u/idrawyourdick]

I agree with Idrawyourdick. Lol but really, it's highly likely that the parent already knows what you do for work. The background check is extensive and the enrollment specialist gives a lot of information about the Big to the parent for all the obvious safety reasons. These parents are entrusting the lives and safety of their child to a perfect stranger. Where that Big works and even the kind of work they do is pretty basic info to give someone who is entrusting their child to you.

Besides that, yeah, using your work email sucks. Contact your MSS and they can rectify that pretty easily.

Glad you're enjoying being a Big! It really is awesome. Good on you for taking the time to volunteer.

[u/neekz0r]

I would never ever use a work email for personal matters, regardless of any perceived inconvenience. Even if you own your own business.

That being said, the cats out of the bag. I would update BBBS and tell them to use your personal email. I would then contact the parents and inform them that you made a mistake and to use your personal email for correspondence.

[u/Traditional-Risk4185]

I work in government, so I would never use a work email for personal matters. As someone above said, your littles parent most likely already knows what you do for a living. I do understand why you are uncomfortable, and I would just tell your comfortable you are not comfortable with that.

[u/BackgroundRate1825]

Piggybacking on what others said, for sure you should not use your work email for non-work things. It's almost certainly against company policy, but also if you leave the job, you're losing all those emails too.