Work asking for medical report

[Jourdain11]

Just asking because I'm curious, really! I've been off work sick for a few months with a standard medical certificate (although my department and the person I've been corresponding with from HR know a little more detail). I'm asking to return to occasional duties (which is relevant and helpful to the organisation because of my specific role) and have a doctor's note to state that this is okay from a health point of view; as in, it will not compromise my health or set back my recovery. Originally I was to have a telephone call with Occupational Health to clear it all, but now HR have asked for a medical report.

I've just read the draft letter they are proposing to send to my doctor and I was quite taken aback by the level of detail they were requesting. What is the exact diagnosis, what is the prognosis, what is the ongoing treatment likely to be? And then some more work-specific things, like are there adjustments that can be made that would help me to perform my role, etc.

As it happens, I don't really object to any of this. But I was surprised. Are they technically within their rights to obtain all this info? Because in some circumstances, I can see that one might reasonably feel it was a bit intrusive. Surely all they really need to know is whether the doctor thinks you can do your job? (Or the parts of it you are proposing to do, in this case.)

It's normal.

Truly? But what if the employee wasn't happy to disclose (and it wasn't necessary, in relation to their role)?

You don't have to give permission but you'll probably find that they could then ask you to see their own doctor to get a report from.

My partners previous employer requested similar details when he was off for mental health reasons. Partner wasn’t sure what to do so mentioned to his doctor and the doctor said he would categorically refuse to give them any information, he said lots of employers try this when it’s not necessary at all. Employers/HR aren’t medical professionals so what are they going to gain from having that information?

Are they still paying you?

Exactly - that's what I don't get! Somebody could quite possibly have a health issue which they really feel uncomfortable about sharing, for any number of reasons. Why do HR need that info? All they need to know is whether a medical professional thinks you are able to do your job, without risk to the organisation or the individual.

Normal. Your employer needs to know this so they can ensure that they only allocate you to appropriate roles / tasks. I've literally just been through this process. The level of detail in my reports was really a lot. I was quite glad I don't know anyone in HR, TBH.

@Youngatheart00

Are they still paying you?

Yes, reduced now as per the organisational guidelines.

You might need to check with your GP if they are happy to give advice like this - it can get quite difficult for them to give specific occupational health advice. I'm surprised you aren't seeing an occupational health doctor through work to be honest.

They are standard sort of questions that could be asked as part of an occupational health referral. Your doctor isn't in a position to make an accurate analysis of whether you can undertake your job and what adjustments should be made to enable you to do so. That requires more detailed information regarding your role and the nature of your illness, hence the need for OH.

Exactly! I personally wouldn’t give the information. As long as doctor can provide a fit to work type note they don’t need to know anything else.

They are not qualified to interpret medical records, you can tell your doctor what your job entails and I’m sure they can advise you whether it is safe to continue with your usual duties

IMO there are two aspects to this. The first is insurance related (employers liability). The second is financial / capability related. I guess they need to understand the chances of you being able to return to full duties and / or further absences. Whilst I’m not a HR expert I have heard of people being ‘encouraged’ to retire on medical grounds following OH reviews. This obviously isn’t typical, but companies from a financial standpoint don’t want to keep paying sick pay on and off for a member of staff who won’t ever be able to contribute per their role profile.

Hope none of the above appears insensitive, not the intention - just giving my experience

Not at all, thank you.

God, I hope nobody is going to be encouraging me to retire on medical grounds. At the age of 33!

Seeing the work's OH doc may be more useful, but do insist on seeing the report before it's sent to management - I had one that said 'Jack has no mental problems other than those caused by her line manager' which was true but I'd like it to have been more tactfully expressed before said manager read it (they were caught between a rock and a hard place and had been fine for the previous two years).

If you're happy for info to come from the GP so you don't have to be involved, then let them.

From an employers point of view they want the info so they know what if any adjustments or changes to the role need making to safely have the employee back as they have a duty of care and HS to follow. They will also want to make sure they can be seen to be doing everything in case employee tries to claim they had to leave role due to adjustments needed not being made.
Yes you don't have to agree but if you dont you cant really complain if employer not doing all they can to support you on return.

Totally normal, though I would expect them to liaise with Occupational Health too

Fwiw it was suggested to me that I medically retire in my late 20s. But I’ve been diagnosed with something that is progressive and so I saw where they were coming from.
I don’t think I’d be too happy letting them have that type of info, in case it were used against me in the future- to discriminate.

I would be ok supplying that level of information if it was related to my neurological condition, I would not be happy if it was anything more intimate or personal.

I would try and stick with the occupational health route if that's still in any way an option. I am an occupational health nurse - I know more about the job roles in my organisation than any GP so can give much more tailored advice that is more helpful to HR. Then my report to HR would never go into any detail about your condition/health specifically, only with relevance to impact on work and my recommendations. I would probably not be comfortable asking your GP to pass on that level of detail and would be concerned about confidentiality issues.

It’s normal, your employer has a duty of care towards you, and they will need to know these things to be able to help people back into the workplace

If you don’t want to do their report, then normally they can insist you see a doctor they employ. The report should only consider the illness you are off for, unless you have another illness that could also affect that

If you refuse again they can take you down the disciplinary route, with sacking the final outcome, and you wouldn't have a leg to stand in at any tribunal as you have not provided information that could get you back into the workplace with support from your employer

This happened to someone I worked with

It’s not uncommon and it’s acceptable especially if you are asking for amended duties. They may be concerned you are not actually fit for work.

They can but you don’t have to give permission.

In truth, though, I'm not even sure how "exact" a picture my GP can give. She can say that I am able to fulfil some duties working from home, working around my illness, but she won't really be able to give much of an update on the precise prognosis and so on (for the reason that she - and I - do not really know).

Likewise, OH would not be particularly relevant because this isn't with a view to "gradual return" or anything, it really is simply me taking on some duties to make the lives of those who are covering for me a little easier.

Like I said, it's not that I have an issue with it exactly, it was just (for me) unexpected!

It's normal but if you don't want to give permission then don't. They will then only be able to make decisions about your employment on the information they have to hand.

I'm in HR and I rarely ask for Dr reports as they are vague, Drs will answer the questions presented in the least time consuming method. OH is the best for what I need and usually a much nicer experience for the employee.

They're perfectly entitled to do this.

Its for both health and safety reasons as well as financial reasons.

You can refuse if you like but then they'd be entitled to send you to their company doctor.