Sick Leave

BARNEWALL · 16-05-2022 7:41pm #1

hi can a hr department ask to contact your gp if you have been out sick with the same complaint twice?

Mrs OBumble · 16-05-2022 9:02pm

Yes, they can ask.

You don't have to give permission.

But if you don't, they will likely ask you to see a doctor who they choose next time you are sick.

BARNEWALL · 16-05-2022 9:05pm

Ok thanks for your reply

Dempo1 · 16-05-2022 9:15pm

Steady on, absolutely no employer or HR Department can contact an employee's GP seeking anything, particularly medical information. They'll be told politely NO.

The Employer if they have any concerns can request an employee attend a doctor employed directly by the company for a medical exam.

Jim_Hodge · 16-05-2022 9:18pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119072802#Comment_119072802

They seem to have asked for permission to make contact. That is a different scenario.

Dempo1 · 16-05-2022 9:22pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119072808#Comment_119072808

Apologies, I miss understood, I miss read and assumed OP asking if employer could contact GP.

GP will require OP to give permission officially and probably in writing, GP"s as a rule very, very reluctant to share their patients medical information and thats how it should be.

Mrs OBumble · 16-05-2022 9:38pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119072827#Comment_119072827

Agreed.

But depending on the situation, the OP may prefer the employer to get factual information from their GP, rather than having another assessment by a doctor they don't know.

Dempo1 · 16-05-2022 10:01pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119072906#Comment_119072906

Yes agreed, apologies for misreading OP 😏

cml387 · 17-05-2022 2:58pm

Nevertheless the GP will only give out the information that the OP is either fit or unfit to return to work so I don't see what the advantage is.

Jim_Hodge · 17-05-2022 8:41pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119076343#Comment_119076343

No, they have to give some indication of the nature of the illness. For Prolonged or repeated sick leave employers can have rights to some medical records or additional medical consultation with the employee’s consent.

AnRothar · 20-05-2022 8:09am

Being on "sick leave" does not preclude an employer dismissing an individual.

In order to remain employed the OP must be "fit" to carry out the work entailed as per their job description.

If a pattern emerges whereby by it is looking potentially to HR that the OP falls under this category then a competent HR dept will commence action sooner rather than later.

The HR dept cannot go simply asking the OP's doctor for their records but they can ask the OP to allow contact SPECIFIC to the illness.

The OP can politely refuse.

Further action will then be covered by the contract/staff handbook/policies and procedures.

Sick Leave

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