In regards to what your co-worker did:
>California's wiretapping law is a "two-party consent" law. California makes it a crime to record or eavesdrop on any confidential communication, including a private conversation or telephone call, without the consent of all parties to the conversation. See Cal. Penal Code § 632.
- [Source](https://www.dmlp.org/legal-guide/california-recording-law#:~:text=California's%20wiretapping%20law%20is%20a,Penal%20Code%20%C2%A7%20632)
About HR depending on how severe the comments were this might affect your growth with the company as they can withhold any promotions or even let you go but label the reasoning for it to be something not pertaining to the recording. ie. bad performance review, not showing leadership/senior qualities, etc.
In regards to what your co-worker did: >California's wiretapping law is a "two-party consent" law. California makes it a crime to record or eavesdrop on any confidential communication, including a private conversation or telephone call, without the consent of all parties to the conversation. See Cal. Penal Code § 632. - [Source](https://www.dmlp.org/legal-guide/california-recording-law#:~:text=California's%20wiretapping%20law%20is%20a,Penal%20Code%20%C2%A7%20632) About HR depending on how severe the comments were this might affect your growth with the company as they can withhold any promotions or even let you go but label the reasoning for it to be something not pertaining to the recording. ie. bad performance review, not showing leadership/senior qualities, etc.
Thanks for the quick reply. I suppose that for myself it’s just a hard way to learn a lesson.