A manager and an employee go on a lunch break together.

Confidentiality Breach: The manager discussing the disciplinary actions taken against another employee violates the principle of confidentiality. Disciplinary actions are private matters and should only be shared with those directly involved or authorized personnel.

Professional Ethics: According to professional ethics, particularly in HR and management, sensitive information about employees should not be disclosed to others who do not have a legitimate need to know.

Trust and Morale: Such disclosures can erode trust within the team and negatively impact morale, as employees might feel their privacy is not respected.

Legal Implications: There could be potential legal implications if the disclosed information is used improperly or causes harm to the reputation of the disciplined employee.

References:

Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Code of Ethical and Professional Standards

HR Confidentiality Policies and Best Practices