Privacy Act ? Pregancy?

Question

Last week I took off a day because I was having complications with my pregnancy. My employer asked me to bring in a Medical Release note from my Doctor stating that I was good enough to work because I was having complications and that I do not need to stay home. Over the phone they actually said they were concerned that if I was supposed to stay home and be on bed rest then I should not be here at work. In an e-mail this is what they said." My name, with your health and safety as our utmost concern we are requesting a written doctors release indicating that your job will not affect your health and the safety of your pregnancy and that you are physically released to work. I need to have this release from your doctor by the end of this week at the latest." Can they do this? I thought this is illegal?

Answer 1

I think they are doing it for liability reasons. If you have been having complications they don't want you to hold them responsible and possibly sue them.

Answer 2

They are more less asking for you to be released to work. It's like getting a doctors note to go back to school after being sick. Your job is concerned about you and your health, and want to insure that you are able to work without causing any further complications.. If you are unable to work then they can work out an arrangement to put you on early Maternity leave depending on how long you have been at your job. It's not illegal to insure your employee's are healthy enough to work for you, and if you refuse to have the paper work filled out then that is your choice at that point they would have no right to request anything from your doctor. Take it easy if you are suppose to be on bed-rest simply get a note stating that and hand it in to your boss, when and if the doctor clears you to go back to work bring in the papers showing that. Its nothing to get worked up over it is just away to excuse your absence from work, and insure no law suits can be filed if you return to work and something happens to you or the baby..

Answer 3

Ok, I don't see anything wrong with what they're asking. They're not asking for the details of what the complications were - they just want clearance that you're still physically fit to be able to perform your job. It's more for a corporate health standpoint perspective. They need to know if you're going to need light duty or special restrictions.



You cannot be discriminated because you're pregnant. You can't be fired because you're pregnant. However if you develop a complication that prohibits you from doing your job, then it's another story. It's a very fine line. It doesn't look like they're doing anything wrong - it just seems like they want a doctor's note saying you're ok to work and don't need bedrest. They are covering their butts so that you don't go back and sue them saying that you had a medical issue and they gave you unsafe working conditions.

Answer 4

Yes, they can do this. Let me explain why. It is simple it is called CYA (cover your a**) they want to be extra sure that they have the proper documentation (their legal department likely requires it) that if you come back to work, and something should happen to you while you are there, whether work related or not, that you can not turn around and try to hold them liable and try to sue them. SImple, have your doc fill out the release, and go back to work. Take care!

Answer 5

They are not asking for detailed info they just want to know that you being at work is not a liability for them like if you were supposed to be home and came to work and something bad happened...sounds to me they just want to make sure that you are healthy and I don't see anything illegal about it...

Answer 6

nope, actually if they let you back to work and you lost the baby, you could sue them.



my dh has to bring in a release anytime anything serious happens to him, releasing him to work. cuz if he came back, got dizzy, hit his head and died, i could sue them.



its not a privacy factor to have a note from a dr. saying you are released to work you normal job and hours...it would not include any private medical info.

Answer 7

Due to the complications in ur pregnancy I dont think it is...they ask for that just in case something happens when ur at work they are not liable. I dont think its illegal sorry.

Answer 8

Coz they are weak b*stards and some adult adult males can't deal with the ends up of their moves yet they are keen to adhere their d*ck everywhere they can only to get off. you'll study that some adult adult males are only a**holes and that is existence. with somewhat of luck you're not any more in this challenge =] each of the suited xx

Answer 9

It sounds to me like your job is covering themselves in case something went wrong and then you could not turn around and sue them. This sounds like the legal mumbo jumbo companies do in order to protect themselves.

Answer 10

they can, and they can lay you off if you do not comply. They do not watn to be liable if something happens to you, its good that they care.

Answer 11

I think they might need that for their insurance...

Answer 12

They can't discriminate against you because you are pregnant...I don't know if that falls under taht category.