[goingpostal]

The other day at work I got called into the office and was questioned as to why I kept missing my scans on my route. I told the supervisor that some of the medication I am on make it hard for me to concentrate. Especially when I'm in a hurry. She went and told the station manager who then asked the shop steward to look at my bottle and make sure there was no driving restriction on it. When he told her what it said( care when operating a car or heavy machinery), which most medicines have that warning on it. She said she had to look at the bottle. Then she went into the locker room with me to look at the bottle. She said I could drive for the day but they were going to check on the restrictions of the meds. My doctor did not say there were restrictions. Did she break the law that was under HIPPA? That was definitely invading my privacy. What steps should I take. Thanks for your inputs

[Fr_Chuck]

You should have reported any medication that can effect your job when the doctor prescribed it. You actually started it by using the medication as a reason you were not properly doing your job.

There was no law broken and only you most likely broke company policy by not properly reporting this to start with.

It appears they followed not only company but union policy by including the shop steward to be invovled to protect your rights.

So no there is not violation, and no invading of privacy either.

You should be sorry for not doing your job properly, knowing your medication was or could have been an issue

[goingpostal]

Chuck, there are no restrictions on my meds. I did not break any rules . Of course I would have reported it if there were. Scanning is a very small,unimportant part of our jobs. I make sure everyone's mail is properly delivered everyday and my customers love me. We are under a lot of stress and are expected to be perfect, I'm sure you make mistakes at your job to. But that still does not give the supervisor a right to know what meds I'm on. There are privacy laws. I was asking a simple question, not to be attacked. I take a lot of pride in doing a good job. Thanks

[J_9]

IN a nutshell, no HIPAA law was violated. HIPAA stands for Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. It covers your doctors and nurses.

Since your employer is not your medical provider no HIPAA laws were violated.


HIPAA is what is commonly known as Doctor-Patient Privilege.

[goingpostal]

Hi wondergirl, nice name. We have scans inp people's mail boxes that we have to scan so the supervisors know when we get there, and we also scan into and out of the office. I meant when I was in a rush it is hard to remember to do every little thing they want us to do. I don't have problems driving etc. I have no restrictions from the dr. a lot of meds say use caution even motrin. I think a law was broken because they are not allowed to know private medical information and she made me show her my meds, after my shop steward told her what the bottle said. Also a lady from my church who works in human resources said what she did was probably against the law. Thanks for getting back to me.

[goingpostal]

Thanks

[J_9]

You showed her your meds voluntarily. IF your doctor, nurse, or pharmacy gave out the information without your consent, you might have a case.

[goingpostal]

I did not show her my meds voluntarily she demanded to see them even after then union told her what was on the bottle. That is where I think she broke the law. She could have asked if I have a restriction, or had me do a driving test, or had me get a doctors note, but she had no legal right to see what meds I'm on. Thanks for your input.

[Fr_Chuck]

So there was no issue or side effect listed on the medications that they could effect?

So you then lied that the reason you missed the scans.
You admitted to the company that the reason you missed scans was the effect of the medication,
Now you say it was not, you can't have it both ways.