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Employer wants to discuss my condition with my Dr

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Posted 2/25/2012 11:13 AM (GMT 0)
Hello wonderful people,

I would like some advice please.  I just recently became employed and prior to getting the job, my employer knew about my conditions and I felt they were very supportive of me and have been since.  She always queries how my health is, advises me to take things easy etc however, she recently told me she would like my permission to speak to my Dr about my conditions and how to better support me and how they will affect my work.  Whilst I appreciate the support, the constant questioning makes me think there is an issue with my health and I would rather not discuss it because when they ask, it gets me wondering if I'm doing my job right and are they trying to blame anything I've not done right on my health.  I would rather not focus on my health as when Im at work, I expect to be treated the same as everyone else yet there's so much focus on my health (sorry for rambling but I'm trying to make this sound right and not sure if I'm having any luck).

Should I let my employer discuss my health conditions with my Dr?  I haven't hid anything from them and they did employ me knowing I had these issues so why do they want to speak to my Dr?  I should also mention that I've recently found out that this particular Team leader might not be as nice as she seems and I should be careful in trusting her.  I don't know what to do mad

Cheers  Lou 

Posted 2/25/2012 1:32 PM (GMT 0)
Lou, I find that highly unusual and I wouldn't like it.  That's very invasive, I feel.  You might call your doctor, let them know what your employer wants to do, and see if this has happened with other patients of his.  If this is a common occurance, then I'd feel better about letting them talk to the doctor. 

 

Sherrine

Posted 2/25/2012 1:37 PM (GMT 0)
I personally think it's a huge invasion of privacy. Your relationship with your doctor includes very personal information that no employer should ask or be entitled to see. Thats how I look at it.

Since you have already been very up front with your condition, ask what information it is they are looking for and why they prefer to speak with your doctor before asking you yourself the information I'm sure you already have.
Posted 2/25/2012 4:09 PM (GMT 0)
I agree that this would be a huge invasion of privacy. Then, since you do have some reservations about how well that boss can be trusted..... uh.... no. I probably would not allow it.

Personally, I'd play it off like > Well sure boss, I don't have a problem with that..... but my Dr. does. He said I can tell you anything I want to, but that he would not disclose personal info to an employer "even with consent"..... {then, I'd just make sure to talk to my Dr, ahead of time, to make sure we were on the same page.}

Now boss, what was it that you wanted to know ? :)

Fish

 

Posted 2/25/2012 5:28 PM (GMT 0)
This is not right for your boss to be asking you about your condition.  Have you spoken with your HR department?  I am a manager and and I am not permitted to even ask anything about someone's illness.  I am only allowed to ask for a doctors note if they are off for 3 days in a row.  This boss is violating your privacy and your rights.  I like what Fishchris said.  Now that you have already been so open with her you might want to back off and not tell her anymore than she must know.
Posted 2/25/2012 7:04 PM (GMT 0)
Agreed! This boss sounds weird. like a bully or a control freak. She's putting you in an awkward position, where you have to either give her permission to do something that makes you uncomfortable, or refuse her request (and who wants to do that to a boss, especially a new one?)

You could do what Fishchris suggested, and that would probably work for now. But that's passing the decision on to the doctor, even if only in your boss' mind. Know what I mean? Eventually, you may have to let her know that you don't appreciate her prying....maybe when you've been there awhile.

It might well actually be a policy, that doctors by law can't talk to employers. That would be worth knowing.

Debbie
Posted 2/25/2012 7:53 PM (GMT 0)
I agree, too.  Fishchris did give the best advice.  I wouldn't discuss health issues with the boss anymore.  The reason I posted what I did was that you have been telling the boss about  your problems and they have been helping you.  Plus, jobs aren't easy to find these days.  Just do what we usually do...say we are fine.

 

Sherrine

Posted 2/25/2012 8:06 PM (GMT 0)
Just out of curiosity, are you living and working in the U.S. or in England?  I was just going to say, if you are in England, things may be a little different, with laws and commonplace occurences such as this.

But, if you are in the U.S., then I wholeheartedly agree with the others, they have no right to be putting you in this postion.  Well, heck, I was an administrator before I retired and I would never in a hundred years, think of invading a person's privacy like suggesting such a thing.  I mean, come on, asking to speak to your doctor?  Next, she will be wanting to confide in YOUR lawyer.  No, I think fish has a great idea and its thorough and gets you out of the line of fire for now.  Cudos to fish!

Please come back and let us know how you make out, OK?

Good luck and God bless.

Lindaloo

Posted 2/25/2012 8:54 PM (GMT 0)
I would be shocked if doctor would even agree to speak to your employer.  My doctor will not even discuss with my husband what has gone on in any visit unless I'm in the room and agree. If the hubby answers the phone when they call with results of blood work or an x-ray...they won't devulge that either and say I have to call back for answers.  It's the HIPPA law, I think. 

Sounds like there is an ulterior motive to me.

Donna

Posted 2/25/2012 9:21 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with everyone else. If your boss were sincerely a supportive person, and really cared about your health and making it so that your conditions do not interfere with work--such as, getting you a shallower set of steps, or a special chair if you work at a desk--then I could see what she would be doing; she would sincerely care, and at that point, there might be some consideration about talking to your doctor; heck, even then, I would make sure you were there when they spoke. However, since you have been warned about her, then I would go with Fishchris's advice. It is a huge invasion of privacy, especially when they probably only have a morbid curiosity. I would not give her permission.
Posted 2/26/2012 2:00 AM (GMT 0)
I cannot thank you all enough for your comments and advice.  I live in Australia and I believe (?)the policy is that Dr's can discuss info but only with a patient's consent.  Stupid me consented straight away to her chatting to my Dr although I've not signed anything yet (she would need my signature).  I have a friend who's a HR manager and I'm waiting to hear from her re my rights etc.  I will also talk to my Dr and see what he thinks.  On a side note, I had a giggle to myself when she asked to talk to my Dr because I had to try and think, "which one" as I have a few - lol!

I love Fish's idea and I will also print out information for her re my health so she has a greater idea.  When people do ask me how I'm going I generally say I'm going well because if I told them how I really felt, I would sound like I was whingeing and a hypochondriac because there's something wrong with me everyday!! smilewinkgrin   Plus I don't want them thinking I can't do my job as well as anyone else there because I can and my health generally doesnt get in my way.

I will update as to what my friend said and what happens with my boss.

Thank you all for your support.

Cheers

Lou

Posted 2/27/2012 2:44 PM (GMT 0)
Doctor / patients privacy rights. But on the other hand if they drug test some of us people with fibromyalgia were gonna fail. It is not that we are taking illegal drugs, but in fact just something to help threw the day. On the other hand some people think we are just lazy people, who do not want to put in our fare share of work. Which is not correct either. I would love to work 6 12 hours days strait and not feel like I am dying all the time. But the fact is I can not do that anymore, since fibromyalgia invaded body and took over. Westpur
Posted 2/27/2012 5:48 PM (GMT 0)
Hey, even a dummy can pop up with a good idea once in a while ;)

Your boss doesn't need to know anything more than what you tell him anyway.

Peace,

Fish

Posted 2/27/2012 6:11 PM (GMT 0)
Agreed with other posters. They do not have the right to ask. If you choose to share, then the employer knows. For instance, information on marital status, children, sexual preference, religion, politics are protected.

Sometimes, bosses do not have our best interests at heart. Keep the relationship professional.

Unless there is a problem, your medical condition is not really something that your boss needs to know.
Posted 3/9/2012 8:24 PM (GMT 0)
Absolutely not - if your boss wants to be helpful and accommodating, you can provide her a list (with your Dr.s help) of things that would help you to make getting through the work day easier.

I know things may be different where you live, but we have HUGE privacy acts here and heck you can't even get your own medical records without jumping through hoops sometimes.

Google - workplace accommodations and give the list to your employer. =) See if that helps!
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