Work Question

alexxapplepiee-2 · September 2016

Hi Ladies!

So completely random question but my dragon lady boss just hit me with an email.
I told her that I needed to take a day off to spend time with my sick Aunt who just came down from Canada for a week and I also told her I need to take 3 hours for my next appointment but I would come back to work.
She then hit me with "I will need a doctors note explaining you are pregnant and under your doctors care."
Is this legal because I'm getting mixed answers on google?

Finallyhismrs07 · September 2016

If I remember right from a work situation a couple of years ago correctly, (super flaky employee and it was assumed she was making up appointments to take time off - ended up being true), her boss was able to require a doctor's note stating that she was at an appointment, but didn't have to list the why....I would imagine the why would break confidentiality and would be illegal.

alexxapplepiee-2 · September 2016

Yeah, I posted the announcement on Facebook last night and she is one of my friends plus she commented on it so I'm not sure what's going on. This isn't something I'd fake and I kind of don't appreciate it. I feel like she's trying to say they don't exist. If I wanted time off, I'd take time off. Not like I have PTO or anything lol.

Finallyhismrs07 · September 2016

She sounds like a real gem.

I'm so sorry you have to deal with her!

alexxapplepiee-2 · September 2016

She's a piece of work, that's for sure. Thank you for the answer!

kiyamurph · September 2016

I would look up your state laws regarding this. I'm not sure if something like this is a federal law or varies from state to state. I do think that any diagnosis is covered under HIPAA laws and since pregnancy is a medical condition, she shouldn't have to know "why", just that you have a medical reason to leave work for a bit. But again, I would check your state's laws.

MrsNap_515 · September 2016

your dr's office can provide a generic note saying you were seen, but anything regarding a confirmation/diagnoses I would think would be against privacy laws

mtmama2 · September 2016

I agree with @Finallyhismrs07 I think they can request a doctor's note for the appointment but they do NOT have to list the reason you were at their office/under their care! That would be a very suspicious request from an employer and I would not be comfortable with it at all as the employee!!

sunshine507 · September 2016

Lots of factors go into whether or not it's legal, and it varies state to state, but in some cases under the federal FMLA it is legal for employers to ask for a note. Do you have experience not needing a note in the past? Is your company large enough to have an HR department that would have policies about it?

alexxapplepiee-2 · September 2016

@sunshine507 I'm actually in the HR department. I've always brought a note any time I've went to the doctor but that's just me because I deal with it personally. I was going to bring a doctors note back regardless but I don't understand why she needs proof of pregnancy. My growing belly and the ultrasound picture with my full name and date of birth isn't enough proof?

alexxapplepiee-2 · September 2016

But this is the same lady who told me when I told her I'm pregnant with twins that she worked up until about 4 hours before she went into labor with all of her kids.

alexxapplepiee-2 · September 2016

SienaC said:

I agree with @Finallyhismrs07 I think they can request a doctor's note for the appointment but they do NOT have to list the reason you were at their office/under their care! That would be a very suspicious request from an employer and I would not be comfortable with it at all as the employee!!

I definitely don't feel comfortable. She doesn't question anyone else taking time off but always has something to say to me if I even request to come in earlier and leave earlier so I'm not disrupted first thing in the morning.

alexxapplepiee-2 · September 2016

kiyamurph said:

I would look up your state laws regarding this. I'm not sure if something like this is a federal law or varies from state to state. I do think that any diagnosis is covered under HIPAA laws and since pregnancy is a medical condition, she shouldn't have to to know "why", just that you have a medical reason to leave work for a bit. But again, I would check your state's laws.

I tried to find the Florida law regarding this but have had no luck. I now have my Mom on the case since she works here as well and has been having issues too.

alexxapplepiee-2 · September 2016

MrsNap_515 said:

your dr's office can provide a generic note saying you were seen, but anything regarding a confirmation/diagnoses I would think would be against privacy laws

Yeah, that's all I've ever had. Hell, they even gave DH one so he had a note for work. His bosses are much nicer and said "We know she's pregnant with two, you don't have to bring this sh*t anymore." lol

Wishilivedinflorida · September 2016

Hmmm. That's odd. I agree with PP's that they probably can request an excuse but the reason does not have to be listed. When I had the flu in February, my doctor gave me a generic note to take in. Even so, I told everyone I had confirmed influenza and that was why. The note was mere courtesy. She sounds like a real piece of work. I'm sorry you have to deal with that!

hippiemama-2 · September 2016

No. She cannot legally ask you to detail what you're being seen for.

Mccolpitts · September 2016

I used to be in HR and while it's been a little while, I don't think there's any issue with requiring a doctors note for time taken away from the office. As far as why they'd need one saying you're pregnant, the only thing I can think of is that way one note can cover all your time away, since there may be a lot over the coming months? No clue. I don't think there's anything wrong with asking for clarification about what the note needs to say and why though.

Want a personalized experience?

Work Question

Re: Work Question

Choose Another Board

Search Boards