2007-03-15 01:50:26 · 23 answers · asked by angelaking4 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
They can try,but I will guarentee you that the doctor will not tell them anything as patient info is confidential,and they have no legal right to as you provided a sick note ,tell them to p1ss off for being a **** about it.
2007-03-15 01:55:28 · answer #1 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am a nurse and just like a GP I am bound by the same Data Protection Act laws he/she is, therefore, your employer can request whatever he likes from your GP, however, you have to give permission for your GP to give ANY information out whatsoever!!
If you are in any doubt get hold of the Data Protection Act on line.
Just to pick up on the abpve response, even if you are currently under Occupational Health you still have to give permission for them to contact your GP.
2007-03-15 02:01:41 · answer #2 · answered by FiB 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
an employer can request anything. whether or not you give it to them is a different story. i find it hard to believe that they would request to speak to your doctor if you just had a cold or something. what kind of sickness did you have?!? were you lying?!?
2007-03-15 02:10:10 · answer #3 · answered by Robby's Girl 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, if the sick note is a suspect, the employer can
consult another doctor as well.
2007-03-15 01:55:54 · answer #4 · answered by nomad 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
They can request it,but your Doctor will not discuss your problems with him/her,unless you give your permission. They can however,insist you see the company Doctor, or a private Doctor,at their expense.
2007-03-15 02:08:55 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
They might be able to request it but your Dr works within the data protection and patient confidentiallity laws and would not be able to disclose anything to your employers without your permission.
2007-03-15 01:54:39 · answer #6 · answered by isleofskye 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
They can only to verify the sick note. Beyond that any other conversation would be a violation of the HIPAA regulations.
Here are the full HIPAA regulations...
www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacysummary.pdf
2007-03-15 02:12:44 · answer #7 · answered by Nationalist 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends, if you have a history of long-term sickness and are being monitored by your Occupational Health Department then they are (by law) allowed to contact your GP to discuss with them your illness and how best to manage your progress back to full health, but all of this is kept confidential between health professionals.
If however, you have a line manager, who just wants to call your GP to check-up on you, then no they can't, it is against the law.
If in any doubt, I would advise going straight to your HR department to check on Company policy.
2007-03-15 02:00:49 · answer #8 · answered by Suzy 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No, because you have doctor/patient confidentiality. The employer will have to take the note as it is.
2007-03-15 01:55:07 · answer #9 · answered by purple_lily76 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
They can request and you can refuse. You can demand to see the doctor's report before they do and ask him to change anything that might be wrong. They must have your written permission to ask him.
2007-03-15 01:54:49 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋