Underlying condition is this usual?

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I have a member of staff who's been off sick since Christmas.

He has some named disabilities and we have made every reasonable adjustment he's asked for - glad to do it.

However, he is very reluctant to share health information. Appointment letters, for example, will usually have the purpose of the appointment blacked out.

In view of the current absence I have referred to OH. In their report they have referenced some conditions we know about but also repeatedly referred to an "underlying condtion" which meant he needed to shield, which he takes medication for, which will get progressively worse and may result in a need to reduce hours. But they don't say what it is and he won't tell us.

Does it matter? I don't suppose it makes any difference to us what the condition is called buy it seems off that he won't say, also that OH don't seem to have this info.

I just want to find a good way to manage this situation, for everyone, but he is holding cards very close to his chest and I can't get to the bottom of what he would see as a good solution. I'd be happy to reduce hours if that's what he needs.

I think what I'm saying is, how can OH advise without knowing what the condition is, surely they're only telling us what he's told them?

Maybe they do know but it is sensitive information and employee has not given permission to share. Tbh it does not really matter as you can not be accused of discriminating on information you do not have.

also that OH don't seem to have this info
OH possibly know the info but he requested that they do not share it with you. OH ask what they can share with the person’s work.

it seems off that he won't say
If it’s something that is going to get progressively worse then it’s sounds very serious and therefor there are lots of reasons why he might not want to tell you details. It might be that he can’t quite face it himself and so doesn’t feel he can share it with someone else. I think you need a bit more compassion here.

It may be that OH do know. When I had an appointment for a bowel condition they advised they will put as little as possible and not to think they weren't listening to all the information when I see the report.

Where do you get the idea that I'm without compassion Satsumas? Everything I've tried to do has been with he aim of finding a solution that works for him.

Wanting to know the name of the condition when he very obviously doesn’t want you to is where my feeing that you could do with a bit more compassion comes from. (Only a bit, but a bit nonetheless.)

Knowing the name of the condition won’t change the facts of it, and you’ve already been told the facts of it by OH.

Say he told you he had cancer or MS or Huntington’s for example, would knowing the name of condition mean anything to you? No, you’ll still have to deal with each step as it happens and respond to his specific requirements. But for him, having to tell you the name is obviously a big deal. Maybe it feels painful for him to talk about. Who knows.

His specific requirements have been laid out by OH for you to respond to. The name of the condition though is irrelevant to you (and to him obviously very private).

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I think what I'm saying is, how can OH advise without knowing what the condition is, surely they're only telling us what he's told them?

What makes you think they don’t know? Did they tell you that?

OH are telling you what you need to know in order to meet your employee's needs. They must know what the condition is otherwise they would not be able to advise.
You only need to know what adjustments you need to make. He is entitled to privacy and dignity.

It is likely that OH do know, but they do not have to share this info with HR as the role of OH here it to make suggestions such as the likelihood of reducing hours in the future. OH will come up with suggestions for adjustments, you could ask OH how often they would need to see the worker to monitor this properly and report any need for adjustments to HR (for example, they may want to see the employee every 6 or 12 months).

I've worked in HR, we've had people attend OH appointments and received a report without naming the health condition involved.

I also don’t understand why you need to know op? You need to know what is required to facilitate, but past that you need to respect his privacy.

There are times when l have refused to disclose a health condition. It may be very personal or embarrassing or cause prejudice. It's kinda irrelevant to you anyway.