Untitled

[OneLieIn]

Long story...

I have been off sick for a while 1 month or so with stress. Work was being exceptionally difficult.

Anyway, i am still off with stress and this morning I got a letter from work asking me to sign a document so they can have access to my medical records. I absolutely don't want to do this as I have really spoken to my doctor in confidence and FFS, I feel totally stressed anyway, so me giving them access to my medical files would only make it worse for me. I felt isolated at work and they have been trying to manage me out of the business, and its like they are trying to isolate me further by requesting this. They say its so they can help me, but it feels like they are being actually very nosey and meddlesome. I want to be left alone.

If I don't sign it, is that OK? Can this be bad for me in anyway?

I am off to the GP this afternoon, so will show her maybe.

[OneLieIn]

Soryr, forgot the title in my haste.

[bluefox]

Maybe someone will correct me but is this not something that an employer has to do nowadays?

[theinsider]

I'm afraid I don't know the answer, but it may be worth reposting with a title. Someone should be able to help you. Good luck.

[Tortington]

contact ACASHelpline numbers:

Monday - Friday 08:00 - 18:00 - 08457 47 47 47
Monday - Friday 08:00 - 18:00 - (for Minicom users) - 08456 06 16 00

[flowerybeanbag]

You don't have to agree but you should consider doing so. If you consent to your doctor writing a report for them it means they will know exactly what is wrong, how ill you are, and what they should be doing to help you back to work.

If they pay you sick pay over and above SSP it may well be a condition of the scheme that you allow this, so you may forego sick pay.

Also, if they know about your illness and how severe it is, they will find it much harder to discipline you or take any other action. Reassurance for them from your doctor that your sickness is genuine is not a bad thing for you.

If you feel they are trying to manage you out of the business for whatever other reason, them being fully aware of your illness is not going to help them, it's more likely to help you.

I'd consider consenting to a report being made by your doctor. You can ask to see it first before it goes to your employer, so its not as though they'll suddenly be able to see all your medical history.

is there someone in HR you can chat to about exactly what will happen?

[flowerybeanbag]

Should make it clearer- they should make you aware of your rights under the Access to Medical Reports Act, can't find a good link at the moment, basically you can withold consent but it gives them right to ask for a report where it is relevant to work.

So not your medical records as such, but a report about your condition.