Mr.Moore's employer calls your medical office to find out about his employee.He wants to know when the employee can return to work. He also asks if Mr.Moore's hepatitis condition has improved.What do you say? Is this a legal and/or ethical issue? Explain.
2006-09-28 06:52:40 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Other - Health
It's both a legal and ethical issue. The employer shouldn't be asking anyone but his employee. And unless the patient signed an outrageous "privacy practices notice" paper for that medical office, the office can be sued for giving out such information. If you are working for the medical office, do not give out any information unless you are told it's okay, I think you could get sued too. And it's very unethical ... how would you feel if someone gave out your medical information without you knowing it? Depending on what the condition is it could be embarassing, or could even effect his employment. And you don't know if the employer actually knows it's hepatits or not ... maybe he heard a rumor and he's fishing to see if it's true. An employer may not want someone around who has hepatitis. Or ... how do you even know it's the guy's employer? Maybe it's someone posing as his employer. Unless there's part you're not telling us ... did the patient tell the employer it was all right to call? Are the employer and employee close friends too? And the legal part of this answer depends on whether you are located in the US or not.
2006-09-28 07:11:56 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your employer has the right to know when you might be able to return to work. The employer has to cover your position until such time, and this information is necessary.
The employer should ask the employee for a doctors statement/report outlining your contidion, recovery and ultimately an estimated date of return.
2006-09-28 06:56:20 · answer #2 · answered by Laurie D 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's not unethical in this circumstance, but I believe it is illegal. Information like that should only be given out to family members or legal representatives. If the employer wants to know such information, he will have to speak with the person in question or that person's family.
2006-09-28 07:01:42 · answer #3 · answered by mutanteel 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
yes it's legal for employers to call a hospital and see if you are doing ok. Yes it is ethical.
2006-09-28 07:00:08 · answer #4 · answered by BokBok 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
He can not call and ask. That is personal info. If the man wants to know... he should has the person himself... it is unethical to give out info... you could lose your job.
2006-09-28 06:57:48 · answer #5 · answered by question 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋