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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Employer has requested to see my maternity notes

101 replies

Gilli1234 · 19/12/2018 06:03

Can anyone advise please? I’m only 10 weeks but have had numerous appointments so far under the recurrent miscarriage clinic for scans and checks to see how this pregnancy is progressing. I have now been told that due to previous cervix surgery I am to be seen frequently by the pre term labour clinic.
I have emailed my employer to let them know I will not be in work (I am a field based rep so many of my customers are 100 miles away) for said appointments. Every time I have offered to show them hospital letters with my appointments on, which have all been ignored up until now.
Last night I received an email stating that they wish to access my medical record via an HR medical officer to ascertain
‘The current state of your health and how this has affected your ability to carry out your role with the Company.

I would also like to ask your permission to contact your GP to obtain a medical opinion on your condition’

I’m horrified! Is this even legal?!
What are your thoughts?
I get the impression this is a thinly veiled attempt to come across as concerned how we I’m reading it as if they are fed up with me taking time off and want to know why.
Any advice, similar situations?
Thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
Gilli1234 · 19/12/2018 17:16

*Retaliate

OP posts:
Gina2012 · 19/12/2018 17:19

It’s a professional role, not working at Tesco.

Nice

You really know how to make friends, dont you?

SinkGirl · 19/12/2018 17:22

OP, you’re within your rights to refuse but you have to understand that this could have repercussions - if they feel that an OH professional cannot adequately assess the risk of you doing your job, they could quite easily insist you go on sick leave for the rest of your pregnancy.

Talk to your GP and ask what will be included. They won’t get all your notes - I saw what my GP supplied and it was a one page summary. I asked for references to past mental health issues / eating disorder and a miscarriage to be removed as they were historic and irrelevant to what was happening. My GP happily removed them. That went to the OH doctor and then he wrote a report, which I saw before he submitted it.

Your employer / random HR person won’t just be handed your entire maternity notes to flick through. That’s not how it works.

Working with my employer enabled me to keep working much longer and allowed them to make the adjustments I needed.

SillySallySingsSongs · 19/12/2018 17:25

It’s a professional role, not working at Tesco.

Well what an attitude. Other than being snobbish, your point is what exactly?

Zofloramummy · 19/12/2018 17:25

You sell medical products to doctors.
Tesco staff sell groceries.

You are both in retail but you think you’re a cut above don’t you!
As many posters have already said you are seriously over reacting. All that will happen is that a summary saying x had a previous problem with her cervix and therefore there is x monitoring required to ensure a safe pregnancy. Will be reviewed by occupational health who will then give your employer a risk assessment about how to best support you to stay in work!

Scottay · 19/12/2018 17:34

It’s a professional role, not working at Tesco

Well this is just rude!!! I'm sure that people who work in Tesco value their jobs every bit as much as people with as you call 'professional jobs'

If you're job is so professional and important I find all the moaning about it odd.

Kardashianlove · 19/12/2018 17:34

I don’t want them seeing anything about my previous miscarriages or severe depression thanks!
You seem to be completely misunderstanding how it works, as pp have explained they won’t see this.

So forgive me if I seem a little reluctant to help them out...!
You will just stress yourself out though and come across as difficult and unprofessional by being determined to fight this.

how would you feel about a random HR person you’ve never met and your boss seeing your pregnancy notes?
Your boss won’t be reading your notes though.

In terms of your midwife feeling they are ‘overstepping the mark’ this isn’t the midwifes area of expertise, your midwife won’t be qualified to comment on employment law, occupational health, etc.

You seem incredibly stressed about something quite routine. It sounds like you are angry and upset at your employer/job in general and that you are using this as a reason to ‘fight’ them instead of addressing the real issue. After reading all the responses on the thread and having the reasons for them requesting the information explained and how the information will be handled, it seems an unusual response to still be determined not to give your consent. Maybe speak to your midwife about how strsssed you are feeling as it won’t be good for the baby to be getting worked up over this.

Hohocabbage · 19/12/2018 17:35

I really don’t think this means they will find out about your other mcs or mental health issues. They won’t get handed your entire medical record. And anyone who doesn’t think there’s any problem with this at all clearly thinks employers never discriminate based on mental health issues!

OriginallyfromLA · 19/12/2018 17:37

Not sure what caused offence as all I said was factual. Oh dear...... 😂 "Go back to LA". Love it.

OP, you clearly want nothing but for everyone to agree and sympathise with you. They're not going to. What are you going to do now? More of the same I expect......

JustHereForThePooStories · 19/12/2018 17:38

It’s a professional role, not working at Tesco

Sales is sales.

Have a look at your contract, OP. A tenner says there’s a clause in relation to occ health referrals. That’s what we’re talking about here.

I’d encourage you to work with your company on this. They’re proactively managing an issue, as they’re entitled to do.

StormTreader · 19/12/2018 17:47

If this is the high-handed and snooty attitude you normally have, it's no wonder they are asking - I can easily imagine you presenting them with a calendar of when you've decided to not work because of "the pregnancy".

Coronapop · 19/12/2018 17:50

Personally I would not give an employer access to my medical records. You are entitled to refuse.

Blueroses99 · 19/12/2018 17:50

I had a similar issue during my pregnancy and did need a cervical stitch. I was referred to OH, and the person I saw was a gynaecologist. I told him everything (equivalent of sharing notes) including highly personal details, IVF, previous stillbirth - but what went back to my work was a report focusing on recommendations, with none of the medical details included. He also warned them that I might need to be signed off after the stitch at 13 weeks for the rest of my pregnancy, which I was in the end so at least they were aware it was a possibility even if they didn’t know why.

rb234 · 19/12/2018 17:52

OP, why have you bothered to make this thread. It seems like you don't want to listen to the reasonable answers people are giving you and knew exactly what you were going to do about this situation already.

I obviously don't know the ins and outs of your contract but it seems like it would be in your best interest to cooperate with them. Like PP have said, they aren't asking for you're full medical records so you don't have to disclose to them about your depression or previous miscarriage.

It seem's that you have made your mind up about this so all I can say is I hope it doesn't come back to bite you. Good luck with your pregnancy.

Cherries101 · 19/12/2018 17:53

They might make you take an early mat leave if your absence hits a certain threshold.

cheesywotnots · 19/12/2018 18:03

Sorry you've had health problems, you say you've had numerous appointments already, maybe work are acting in your best interests, they don't want the job to affect your pregnancy. You've shared quite a lot with us, your employer has said it will be a medical officer reviewing your notes, they will work to a code of conduct. Why don't you speak to your g.p. and explain the situation, read your notes and between you decide what would be relevant and what you're happy to share.

Schmoobarb · 19/12/2018 18:07

They can’t force you to go off sick if you’re not sick but if there are risks in your role that can’t be made safe for you they may require to find you alternative duties or medically suspend you on full pay.

Asking for your notes does seem like overkill and besides anything else given your HR department (presumably) aren’t able to interpret those, pretty pointless but it may be reasonable for OH to have them.

Lovewinemorethanhusband · 19/12/2018 18:23

My employers have asked about my medical records due to numerous issues I've had so far this pregnancy, I think I've just about been in work more than I've had off sick now , I work in a complaints position so they are wanting to make sure that stress of my job are not impacting my pregnancy at all and have reduced my work load so much that I'm Actually bored at work but they refuse to give me more work. I understand you don't want them knowing everything but can you get a consultant letter explaining the issues you've experienced and why you are having appointments but that your work shouldn't be impaired because of it ?

ILiveForNachos · 19/12/2018 21:10

OP it seems to me like your mistrust and dislike of the company you work for is distorting this situation. As many, many people have said, this is the normal process that many companies take. Before refusing stuff and becoming defensive with them, calmly clarify what it is exactly that they want, what they want it for and who will see it. Then talk to the charity suggested above who can provide reassurance about the process and stop you stressing about this unecessarily. Good luck.

ReginaPhalange89 · 19/12/2018 21:48

I don't really get why you even started this thread, you asked for advice and opinions but you're not willing to listen to any of them and have become quite abrupt in your replies 🤔 you were obviously expecting people to say it sounds like they're going to try and get rid of you...

Honestly it doesn't sound like they're doing anything wrong, although I don't work in HR, but they've asked to speak to a gp to get an understanding of your condition , they want to do things by the book to cover themselves but also to make sure you're not doing any work that could harm you ......

AHobbyaweek · 19/12/2018 22:18

I also work in Pharma OP and have dealt with the sales side a lot.
Firstly there are other duties they could give you other than face to face calling and we have had a couple of people (due to ill health) take on other roles at the company while they recover. For instance, roles in commercial, sale data insights or training roles depending on their skills. Just to say we are a small company too so don't be too stressed about size.

Also someone gave me some great advice once about occupational health is that you should contact them back, even if you are not good at giving over your actual records to at least have a chat about your worries and if YOU think there is anything about your job that could be tweaked to help.

Just some thoughts-

  • reduced coverage and frequency targets
  • reduced sales/bonus targets
  • if your travel is long, paid for accommodation overnight to reduce same day travel
  • the ability to call, email or remote detail your customers instead of all face to face if not already doing that.

Try to think if you need anything to help you right now and then talk to the doctors they are suggesting as they can help advocate for that.

ICJump · 19/12/2018 22:45

I’m having a complicated pregnancy this time round. If my employer didn’t know the medical side of it I’m not sure how I’d manage. I’m constantly having to take extra time or stay at appoints for longer. This weeks appoints went from 1 hour to 6 hours with not notice. If my employer didn’t know my pregnancy situation this would have caused issues.

Anyat212 · 20/12/2018 00:38

I’m confused at your responses here OP, I too work in HR and you’ve been given ALOT of accurate and fair advice on here but you’re not listening?

What do you expect some random HR person Is going to do with your records exactly? Considering HR and your line manager would not recieve direct access to these anyway, hence OT involvement. OT would draw up a brief, which include reasonable adjustments if needed and it would be sent to you first. If you were unhappy with the report/brief you discuss with OT first until you’re happy and then HR would get a copy. We would then involve the line manager to discuss the outcome and any adjustments we may need to make. This is to protect you in the work place & ensure it’s a safe working environment.

Have you previously had a bad experience with HR? I can assure you HR are employed to ensure employees are treated fairly as your Employer has a duty of care for you, this is particularly heightened when an employee is pregnant.

I’m sorry you’re feeling like this but I can assure you they are looking out for you.

Sistersister7 · 20/12/2018 01:15

Get a grip. You came in asking if people could advise. They have, you don't agree and are throwing a hissy fit over it. And implying that someone who works at Tesco isn't professional, just wow. I wouldn't be surprised if your employer doesn't accommodate you when you go back to work, if this is how you act.

OhTheRoses · 20/12/2018 01:30

They have a duty of care to make adjustments.
They need to carry out a pregnancy risk assessment.
Your GP/Dr must have your permission to disclose any information and they have requested this. If you chose not to give it they will make reasonable decisions based upon the information available to them.

Their request is entirely reasonable imo and there may be a contractual clause.

How much time have you had off at 10 weeks to csuse alarm? I had a v highrisk pg with dd and by 10 weeks i'd had a GP apt, and an early scan.