Telling employers - was disability

[Guest guest]

--- ron Pat wrote:

>

> > And really if you do take pain meds you really need to tell the

people where you work. There is a big difference in being fired, and

just let go for a medical problem

>

Ron -

I really do have to strongly disagree with this. There are a few

jobs where it is necessary/required to disclose medication, but they

are far and few between. Any attorney will tell you that in all

other cases it is absolutely NONE of the employer's business what

medications you take for a medical condition, and it is NONE of their

business what medical conditions you have.

Even if you are applying for disability accommodations with your

employer, they have NO RIGHT to your medical records or to know what

medications you take. They do have a right to have documentation

from your doctor or physical therapist stating that you are

physically unable to do certain things that they must then

accommodate, but that does NOT mean they need to know anything about

details of your treatment. My employer attempted to break the law by

getting me to sign away my rights so they could get into my medical

records, and luckily I consulted an attorney first.

Again, this may not be the case for a job where you have signed a

contract in advance regarding use of medications on the job, where

safety and reaction times are a concern.

Always consult an employment attorney about any of these issues

before assuming it will be best to tell or best not to tell.

Cheryl in AZ

Moderator

[Guest guest]

> --- ron Pat wrote:

>>

>>> And really if you do take pain meds you really need to tell the

> people where you work. There is a big difference in being fired, and

> just let go for a medical problem

>>

>

Ron,

Cheryl is right, employers are not allowed to ask what medications you

take. They

are allowed to have a doctor's report if you able to perform your

duties.

I had my employer try and get this information from my doctor and she

refused

to comply as it is illegal.

I told her to give them a form clarifying my capabilities. They were

trying to slam

me thinking my medications where causing slurred speech, when in fact I

had

two mini strokes.

You can contact the Labor Representative in your area for help.

Bennie