What medical/health issues does your employer have the right to know?

Question

I believe that they don't have the right to know anything about your medical issues, like if you have HIV or HEP C. But, what if your doctor appointments interfere with your work schedule? Like once every couple of weeks, at that point must you disclose? Or do you have the right to maintain its for a medical condition and keep it confidential? Do they have the right to demand to know unless you're fired?

Answer 1

No, they do not have the right to know what medical conditions you have, and you do not have to disclose that.

They are not, however, required to give you time off to attend your doctor's appointments. Those must be made on your own time, or you must have them approve time off, whether sick or vacation.

Answer 2

You do not have to disclose. You only need to state that you have a Dr's appt. and bring documentation of the appointment itself (such as a payment receipt or note from the staff confirming your appt.). The only things you need to disclose are things that will affect your job performance. In some cases it is wise to disclose things, such as an allergy to bees when you work construction or landscaping. If you get stung, they can keep you from dying. But, you still don't have to disclose that. They can demand to know that you are seeing a physician, but they cannot demand you to tell them what it is for. They can demand documentation from your physician, in order to grant you leave. Look up the Family and Medical Leave Act.

Answer 3

You only need to disclose anything that would cause you to not be able to properly do your job anything else is none of their business. If they need to know why you have appointments just have your doctor write a note that says you have the appointments without disclosing why. If they press you on it speak to a lawyer or the local Better business bureau or even the state attorney general's office

Answer 4

If your doctors visits are interferring with your work then your employer has the right to inquire as to why you are gone so much - you also have the right not to tell him -- your employer then has the right to fire you because he has a business to run and your personal issues are not really his problem. If you have a disability that would cover you under ther ADA then you have to disclose the nature of that disability in order for it to be covered.

Answer 5

it is never their business unless your condition can be spread to your coworkers or employers by being in the same room then they will have the right and need to know. as for appointments they can let you go for missing to much work regardless of why. you should make your appointments for days off and after hours as often as possible.

Answer 6

if your medical condition is interfering with your work, IE taking unscheduled time off, interfering with company policy of sick days, the company can ask for a doctors note to clarify if you are telling the truth, they can require you to take family leave until ready and willing to return to work

Answer 7

Hmmm I think you have to tell them. You are a liability if you do in fact have those diseases. They cant not hire you because of it, but for insurance purposes alone, let alone if something happens at work.

Answer 8

they have the right to know if it interferes with work...just let your supervisor know and if goes around telling people then you have a law suit

Answer 9

I would think only in how in concerns you doing your job or infecting co-workers.