I was ill in hospital and have been discharged. I have given a doctors note to my employer covering my illness and time spent in hospital. They have requested I show them my hospital discharge notes. Is this lawful even though I have given them a doctors note?

It is lawful to request, but you do not have to comply. Why do they want these notes? If they are concerned about safety or contagion, then let them explain and you can have your doctor satisfy their concerns. But they don't have a right to browse your records.

On the other hand, they can probably terminate you if they are not satisfied.

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Originally Posted by ScottGem

It is lawful to request, but you do not have to comply. Why do they want these notes? If they are concerned about safety or contagion, then let them explain and you can have your doctor satisfy their concerns. But they don't have a right to browse your records.

On the other hand, they can probably terminate you if they are not satisfied.

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To be honest this makes me feel intimidated. I was in hospital with asthma problems. The doctors note should do.

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Originally Posted by timbomb

To be honest this makes me feel intimidated. i was in hospital with asthma problems. The doctors note should do.

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A company has a right to protect their employees. If your asthma could affect your job and the safety of your co-workers the company has a right to ask.

Again, if they have specific issues, they can ask the questions and you can get answers from your doctor. Why should that intimidate you?

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Originally Posted by ScottGem

A company has a right to protect their employees. If your asthma could affect your job and the safety of your co-workers the company has a right to ask.

Again, if they have specific issues, they can ask the questions and you can get answers from your doctor. Why should that intimidate you?

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If a medical expert has signed me fit for work. Why should hospital notes matter? It's intimidating because I threw away my discharge note thinking I don't need it.

Yes it is intimidating, since they may fire you if you don't provide them.

Why would you not wish to do it, if it is just asthma, does having asthma effect your job ?
If you use an inhaler the work place should be made aware of that anyway.

Also discharge paper is basically the paper that shows how long you were in the hospital. Assuming you missed several days of work, they will want this as proof,
1. you were actually in the hospital
2. you were in the hospital for the number of days you said.

It sounds like they may not believe you were really in the hospital.

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Originally Posted by timbomb

If a medical expert has signed me fit for work. Why should hospital notes matter?.

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I don't know. But they have a reason for asking. That reason may not be valid or it may be. Have you asked why they want them? If it is just to confirm your stay as Chuck suggests, then the hospital can verify it.

The point is that you don't have to give them info they don't need, but there could be info they do need. So you ask.