The YMCA gave my drivers license to some stranger!

[DOK]

Wouldn't you check the license when you leave to make sure it was yours? If she gave it to some other guy, you'd think he'd take a quick peek at the card to see it was him. I don't know, I always do, just to make sure. It's almost an automatic thing.

[mykalberta]

Originally Posted by Sliver

lol at you guys wanting to fire her knowing nothing about her except for one mistake and none of the lead up that led to the mistake.

It does suck for the OP, but I hardly think we're in a position to call for her head at this point. I think the way the OP is handling it seems pretty reasonable. See what the manager has to say and he should be able to help you resolve this and compensate you for your time (and money if you have to get a new license).

I agree the firing is a little premature, but an employee of YMCA Calgary gave someone someone else's drivers license to someone it doesnt belong to. I would definately go to the manager and complain. Then at least if you dont get your DL back you can get the YMCA to pay for a new one.

I dont know what YMCA he went to, but if its anything like the one at EC then the worlds biggest slackers work at check-in desk. I am thankful I have only had to deal with them once, and that was enough to never want to put up with their laziness again.

There is no circumstance, she gave a DL to someone whom it didnt belong to. There is a picture on the DL so it was her complete lack of the ability to do her job. All she has to do is match up the face with the one on the DL - its not hard work.

[luloo]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

I agree the firing is a little premature, but an employee of YMCA Calgary gave someone someone else's drivers license to someone it doesnt belong to. I would definately go to the manager and complain. Then at least if you dont get your DL back you can get the YMCA to pay for a new one.

I dont know what YMCA he went to, but if its anything like the one at EC then the worlds biggest slackers work at check-in desk. I am thankful I have only had to deal with them once, and that was enough to never want to put up with their laziness again.

There is no circumstance, she gave a DL to someone whom it didnt belong to. There is a picture on the DL so it was her complete lack of the ability to do her job. All she has to do is match up the face with the one on the DL - its not hard work.

I believe he said it was the EC one which sucks. I have never been there and now I plan not to.

[Table 5]

Out of curiosity how much is a monthly membership at the Y? I've been to the Eau Claire one a couple of times via day passes, and it always seemed pretty nice.

[JustAnotherGuy]

Originally Posted by DOK

Wouldn't you check the license when you leave to make sure it was yours? If she gave it to some other guy, you'd think he'd take a quick peek at the card to see it was him. I don't know, I always do, just to make sure. It's almost an automatic thing.

I am not sure if I would take a detailed look at my license when I got it back. It is blue.. check.. then it goes into my wallet. Perhaps I would notice. It does make sense to validate that it is mine.

How many of us would just take a passing glance at the license when we put it back into our wallet?

[kaddy]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

I agree the firing is a little premature, but an employee of YMCA Calgary gave someone someone else's drivers license to someone it doesnt belong to. I would definately go to the manager and complain. Then at least if you dont get your DL back you can get the YMCA to pay for a new one.

I dont know what YMCA he went to, but if its anything like the one at EC then the worlds biggest slackers work at check-in desk. I am thankful I have only had to deal with them once, and that was enough to never want to put up with their laziness again.

There is no circumstance, she gave a DL to someone whom it didnt belong to. There is a picture on the DL so it was her complete lack of the ability to do her job. All she has to do is match up the face with the one on the DL - its not hard work.

lol, it was the Eau Claire one.

I went down at lunch today and spoke to a few different managers.

I just got a call back as I was writing this post.... the manager was able to track down the individual. I should be able to pick it up after work.

[Prototype]

Breach of privacy should be a big deal. I'm interested to see how this plays out.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by Prototype

Breach of privacy should be a big deal. I'm interested to see how this plays out.

You're at least the second person to mention personal information.

Seriously, what personal information is there on a driver's license that is so important? Height? Weight? Eye colour? Whether or not the person need glasses to drive?

I'm not saying that the Y isn't obligated to keep your DL out of other strangers hands, but near as I can tell, the only piece of information on a DL that is somewhat private information is the DL number, and it's not like that is that useful of a piece of information.

[fredr123]

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

You're at least the second person to mention personal information.

Seriously, what personal information is there on a driver's license that is so important? Height? Weight? Eye colour? Whether or not the person need glasses to drive?

I'm not saying that the Y isn't obligated to keep your DL out of other strangers hands, but near as I can tell, the only piece of information on a DL that is somewhat private information is the DL number, and it's not like that is that useful of a piece of information.

My address is on my operator's license.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by fredr123

My address is on my operator's license.

It's also in the phone book.
Seriously, there isn't a lot on your DL, that someone with your name can't find out in about 12 seconds on google.

[taco.vidal]

It doesnt sound like the employee is the problem.

It sounds like the Y is the problem. Why do they need to take physical possession of your Operators License when you drop-in for a work out? Its one thing if they need you to fill out some personal info and verify the information be examining your license since your going to be using their facilities. But to hold on to your License? I wouldnt be surprised if a mixup such as you encountered happens every so often. The system needs to be changed instead of the employee being fired.

Originally Posted by DrPepper

She thinks she has the other guys licence? really? is she serious? does she not look at the picture on the card before giving it to the stranger? I THINKS she should GTFO and get fired.

Originally Posted by sa226

I would just call later. I'm sure this guy wants his licence as badly as you want yours. What good is another persons licence to a different person anyways.

As for this girl, ya I'd be pretty pissed too. But usually I try to let cooler heads prevail. I'm sure it was a mistake on her part and she doesn't deserve to be fired over it. If she was genuine in her apology and wanted to do what she could to help, she deserves a second chance. If she was a huge bitch that couldn't care less about her mistake, and has a history of being stupid, I'd make sure she is mopping floors at Mcdonalds the next week. (No offense if someone here actually does that)

Originally Posted by Dion

Hope she gets fired.

[Prototype]

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

It's also in the phone book.
Seriously, there isn't a lot on your DL, that someone with your name can't find out in about 12 seconds on google.

I understand what you're saying. Don't get me wrong. Information is everywhere.

Here's the difference. You don't have to sign up for anything online, you can ask to be unlisted. What you do with your information is up to you. When you leave your information in the hands of someone else (ie- YMCA, bank, video rental store, etc) as far as I know, it's a serious matter if they give your information out to other sources without your knowledge.

It's one thing for a telemarketer to pick up a phone book and start calling. It's way different for an employee of a gym to give your DL to someone else.

When I worked at the bank, I got in trouble for hinting something vauge about one of my clients to another of my clients, without going into specific details at all.

I wouldn't be surprised if the OP could escalate this, turn it into a legal matter if he wanted to.

I'm not the one who makes the rules, or defines what violates privacy laws. I'm just saying that I would assume that this would fall under a violation.

[You Need a Thneed]

If they require you to give up your driver's license at all, that in itself would be a violation of privacy laws - I'm pretty sure.

[kaddy]

Originally Posted by taco.vidal

It doesnt sound like the employee is the problem.

It sounds like the Y is the problem. Why do they need to take physical possession of your Operators License when you drop-in for a work out? Its one thing if they need you to fill out some personal info and verify the information be examining your license since your going to be using their facilities. But to hold on to your License? I wouldnt be surprised if a mixup such as you encountered happens every so often. The system needs to be changed instead of the employee being fired.

Originally Posted by Prototype

I understand what you're saying. Don't get me wrong. Information is everywhere.

Here's the difference. You don't have to sign up for anything online, you can ask to be unlisted. What you do with your information is up to you. When you leave your information in the hands of someone else (ie- YMCA, bank, video rental store, etc) as far as I know, it's a serious matter if they give your information out to other sources without your knowledge.

It's one thing for a telemarketer to pick up a phone book and start calling. It's way different for an employee of a gym to give your DL to someone else.

When I worked at the bank, I got in trouble for hinting something vauge about one of my clients to another of my clients, without going into specific details at all.

I wouldn't be surprised if the OP could escalate this, turn it into a legal matter if he wanted to.

I'm not the one who makes the rules, or defines what violates privacy laws. I'm just saying that I would assume that this would fall under a violation.

The staff (Management) at the YMCA said this has never happened before, they weren't even sure what to do.

I was in the process of writing a nasty reply to this thread (after wasting an hour of my time at the EC Y with no result), when the manager called and said he tracked my license down.

I'm wondering if I should report this issue to someone higher up at the YMCA from this list?

http://www.ymcacalgary.org/web/Defau...id=2931&lang=1

I may also attempt to contact the alberta privacy commissioner, as I'm sure this is a clear violation.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by Prototype

I understand what you're saying. Don't get me wrong. Information is everywhere.

Here's the difference. You don't have to sign up for anything online, you can ask to be unlisted. What you do with your information is up to you. When you leave your information in the hands of someone else (ie- YMCA, bank, video rental store, etc) as far as I know, it's a serious matter if they give your information out to other sources without your knowledge.

It's one thing for a telemarketer to pick up a phone book and start calling. It's way different for an employee of a gym to give your DL to someone else.

When I worked at the bank, I got in trouble for hinting something vauge about one of my clients to another of my clients, without going into specific details at all.

I wouldn't be surprised if the OP could escalate this, turn it into a legal matter if he wanted to.

I'm not the one who makes the rules, or defines what violates privacy laws. I'm just saying that I would assume that this would fall under a violation.

I 100% agree that this is a violation of privacy laws.
I just don't think it is a big deal at all.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

I agree the firing is a little premature, but an employee of YMCA Calgary gave someone someone else's drivers license to someone it doesnt belong to. I would definately go to the manager and complain. Then at least if you dont get your DL back you can get the YMCA to pay for a new one.

I dont know what YMCA he went to, but if its anything like the one at EC then the worlds biggest slackers work at check-in desk. I am thankful I have only had to deal with them once, and that was enough to never want to put up with their laziness again.

There is no circumstance, she gave a DL to someone whom it didnt belong to. There is a picture on the DL so it was her complete lack of the ability to do her job. All she has to do is match up the face with the one on the DL - its not hard work.

This overlooks one very shocking possibility: Doppelganger.

[Jimmy Stang]

While I don't think that the front-line staff member should be fired for this, I would be tempted to take it higher to force the YMCA to change their policy.

The girl at the desk was just following the policy, and although she screwed up, the policy itself is what made this into a privacy issue. Why should she become the scapegoat for the YMCA's policy?

I wonder if any of the resident CP lawyers can chime in with how legal this policy actually is?

Edit: Wow - could I have used the word "policy" any more in that message?!

[CGYTransplant]

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

I 100% agree that this is a violation of privacy laws.
I just don't think it is a big deal at all.

If you have ever had your identity stolen, you would think it's a big deal.

4 years ago, my car was broken into. They took my CDs, change, and insurance/registration.

They opened credit cards (which they maxxed out, naturally) and bank accounts in my name, and took out loans. It's taken me 4 years to deal with this, and I am STILL getting calls from creditors, and my credit rating is still taking a beating because I have no idea who ACTUALLY opened the accounts...it's hard to prove it wasn't you, when it's your name and your address.

I now carry my Car insurance and registration in my purse at all times (so it's on me when I'm in the car, but not in the car when it's unattended), I unlisted my phone number, went paperless with as many bills as possible and got a lock for my mailbox to prevent mail theft. I pay cash whenever I can, don't let my debit or credit cards be swiped out of my sight, and obsessively check my statements for fraudulent charges.

The only way I will ever leave a piece of personal identification out of my sight is if they pry it out of my cold, dead fingers. Identity theft is an absolute NIGHTMARE.

[fredr123]

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

It's also in the phone book.
Seriously, there isn't a lot on your DL, that someone with your name can't find out in about 12 seconds on google.

FALSE. I am unlisted.

The OIPC takes the collection, use and dissemination of private information very seriously. I would tend to believe that the YMCA employee made an honest (perhaps careless) mistake but the information contained in the document at issue is not as innocuous as you might believe.

[enthused]

Good grief, I can't believe the amount of overreaction in this thread.

The employee made a mistake, IT HAPPENS. Yes, it was an unfortunate mistake as she gave the wrong drivers licence to the wrong person. But the original poster said that they tracked down who has his licence. Problem solved.

The employee does not in any way deserve to be fired over this, it was a simple mistake. And for those worried about the personal information that might be obtained from the drivers licence, you should be more worried about who's gathering your personal info right now as you're surfing the web.