Question:
Mary Valdez, you asked my question, but I need a little more.

At my job, any absence over 3 days requires documentation from a physician, stating what the problem was, and when you were cleared to return to work. Fine, but I want NO ONE BUT FAMILY TO KNOW ABOUT THIS. I'm sure I can get my surgeon to write "abdominal surgery," or something of the kind, but really nosey people can get nosier. Many of the surgeons are general surgeons, as well as bariatric surgeons, but many just specialize in WLS. My boss would certainly be nosey enough, even to make a long distance call to ascertain the surgeon's specialty, then, the jigs' up, no? Are you guys saying that I can take my documentation to HR, instead of my immediate boss, aka Nosey-Butt. I guess that even someone there who really wanted to make that call could, as well, but at least they'd be honor-bound to secrecy, I mean confindentiality. Am I right about this? Thanks    — pam C. (posted on June 19, 2002)

June 19, 2002
It's against the law for your boss to call your doctor. That's an invasion of your privacy. You could not only sue her personally, but your whole company as well. Do you really think your boss would do that? Oh, my...I can't even imagine. Also, It would be illegal for your doctor to give out any information about you. I'd discuss it with your doctor & let him/her know that you don't want this information released to anyone!!! One of my co-workers recently had a very private surgery & the only place it was listed was on her paperwork in HR. She only told those of us she wanted to know & our immediate supervisor only knows she's out on Short-term disability. I hope this helps.
   — Sarah E.

June 19, 2002

   — Rosario T.

June 20, 2002
I have this same problem, I was having ankle/subtalor joint problems & people in the next town that are part of our "health system" knew all about it!! I work in a hospital where everything is confidentil for our pt's, but seem to have a hard time keeping MY info. private!! I wrote my manager a note warning that if all goes well I would be having surg. late July early Aug. and that this was a private matter & NO ONE was to know about it! Eventually my co-workers will know I'm having surgery, but it better be MY decision to tell what kind I had!My best friend who is also a co-worker & has worked there 18 years said I only have to let the Temp. Disablity people know, well if I want to get paid that is!! Should be listed in your policy book, I would think,(probably in really, really small print!). Good Luck!!
   — Terri Z.