I work in X-ray at a hospital. A coworker showed up in our work area in regular clothes while off duty. Another tech and I were surprised to see him, so I asked if he was working. He said no and explained that his son was in the ED.
He asked to use my computer without explaining what for. I let him, and he opened his son’s chart under my login to check orders and other information before leaving. His son is a minor and had an ultrasound ordered that hadn’t been performed yet. There weren’t any X-rays ordered, so I wasn’t involved in his care.
I liked this coworker and enjoyed working with him. I wasn’t expecting him to open a chart under my account, and it caught me off guard. I recognize that I should have logged out first and spoken up in the moment.
I didn’t immediately email management. I talked it through with a coworker first, and saying it out loud helped me realize how uncomfortable I was. She agreed it wasn’t okay and encouraged me to report it. I then emailed my manager and explained what happened, including that I had let him use my logged-in computer.
He was later fired. I knew it was a serious concern, but I didn’t expect that outcome. I don’t know everything management considered or whether other factors were involved.
I also sought guidance from my former clinical instructor, who has worked there for years. She said his actions could lead to termination and supported my decision to report it, while also explaining ways I could have handled it differently.
Some coworkers are upset and have called it a “dumb reason” to fire him. Nobody has directly blamed me, but I feel guilty and worry about how this will affect my relationships at work. I would understand receiving a warning or write-up for my own part.
Was reporting this reasonable, or would you have addressed it directly with him first? How would your hospital handle both his actions and my responsibility for allowing someone to use my logged-in computer? I’m also interested in whether termination would be typical, recognizing that I may not have the full picture.