Boss checking medical records?
Asked by Michelle
Is it true that your boss can have access to your medical records and find out every illness youve ever had etc? surely this puts people off going to the doctors so as not to jeprodise future job opportunities? im totally shocked that this is allowed what do you guys think? ta

Best Answer:
If you're in the UK, then you're protected against this. The Access to Medical Records Act 1988 gives individuals the right: - to refuse consent to a request for a medical report from one's own doctor or specialist sought for employment or insurance purposes - to see a report and have a copy for a reasonable fee before it is released by the doctor - to refuse consent for release of the report - to request amendments to the report and, if the doctor declines, to have a statement appended to it - to obtain subsequent access to the report from the doctor within six months of its release. Bear in mind that if your employer is trying to access your medical records for a purpose, such as to try to find out if you're fit to do your job, then you won't put him off by refusing access! He'll be entitled to just go on the information he has to hand.
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Answered by Usefully Employed

Not true.
Answered by ElectronProbabilityCloud

If you are in the US, he sure can't. There is a federal law in place called HIPPA. Basically it says that other than you physician and insurance provider, your medical records are extremely privileged and private. If your boss is checking your records, then you need to find proof and sue his butt!
Answered by banshee1068

doctors have to keep patient confidentiality, they can not dislose any information without your consent.
Answered by lisa

Nope, in the uk , a boss cannot access your medical records.
Answered by aphrodite

no medical records are private
Answered by Drunken Santa

that is untrue. it is HIGHLY illegal first off for anyone to look at your medical information unless you give approval. Second is it highly illegal for the medical office to give out such info without your permission. its called HIPPA. And i dont know why you would believe this anyways. i'd tell whoever told you this to get their facts right
Answered by RT(R)

In the US, they are not allowed to have access to your medical records (this is part of the HIPAA act.) However, if you work in a medical office, it is possible that they may have the access even though they shouldn't - but people usually use a different office than the one they work at.
Answered by mj69catz

Some contracts specifically say you agree give them access to it or they may ask at a later date, if you've taken a lot of time off work for example. You can refuse but that open up a whole load of scenarios about why your holding it back. I agree the information should be relevant and not be given your entire history but if you were an employer you would want to make sure that the person whose been ill for the last month has not been on holiday to Tenerife while your still paying them. We have to be fair, imagine you were the employer to see why in certain jobs they need to know from the start and at other times why they need to know the truth.
Answered by alphacenturi

Highly unlikely, it would be a breach of doctor patient confidentiality!
Answered by darren.hays

In the uk your boss can only access your medical records if you give him written permission so read the smallprint on your contract, i don't think it would be checked unless you are going into a job that requires you to state any infections or pre existing conditions that may be relevant to that particular job.
Answered by lloyd782

It's not true in the UK. Medical records are confidential between patient and doctor. No one else has a right to see them.
Answered by Gemz L

This is not true. Your boss cannot gain access to any employees medical record, this is private and confidential and your g.p would be going against patient confidentiality. I have been told that as a patient you can ask to have a look at your own medical records,wether this is true i am not sure.
Answered by shez

This is definitely NOT true . Anything you communicate to a company medical officer/doctor is confidential . All the doctor can communicate to your boss is your ability to do the job If a boss is somehow getting this detail it is morally and I think legally wrong . I know that when I was responsible for staff the medical form I gave them before I could employ them , on completion had to be placed by them in a sealed envelope and then passed to our medical staff Also if your company wants you to agree that your own doctor can give information on your health this information is only given direct ti the company medical people
Answered by Scobill

Your boss wouldnt be able to have access to your medical records unless you gave him permission and for some reason he needed to know as it realted to your work (i cant see how it would) so i think you are safe.
Answered by leambi

No one can Check your Medical Records without your written consent unless you are incapable of giving consent. I.e. badly injured. in coma. and such
Answered by cblack6540

Your boss can ONLY access your medical reports/notes with YOUR permission. Any Doctor who gives out such confidential information is breaking the Data Information Act.
Answered by k

they don't have direct access to your medical records, but insurance companies share information on major operations, workmans comp,etc. This can be found in more indepth background checks
Answered by rwa000

Not true, and it's not allowed. HIPAA laws are what protects you, and breaking them can come with prison time.
Answered by Mary B

Your boss can ask. You have to sign your consent and you are allowed to see any report that is being sent BEFORE it is sent. Records are confidential, but by law they can be made available (ie to the police). Only if there are appropriate grounds o do so. Your employer can get you to see occupational health for medicals if required.
Answered by Tinkerbell