Confidentiality about Health Problems at Work

Abstract

The extent to which an employer has the right to information about an employee′s mental and physical health is a much debated topic, offset by the employee′s right to privacy. Indeed, privacy is often confused with confidentiality and secrecy. Identifies some of the dilemmas facing management, personnel, and occupational health departments about confidential health matters in relation to recruitment, retention and dismissal of employees believed or known to have physical or mental health problems. Gives a case example of an employee who is infected with the virus which causes AIDS, to highlight confidentiality issues. Makes recommendations for confidentiality policy, giving guidelines for management on information relating to employees′ mental and physical health.

Citation

Salt, H., Callow, S. and Bor, R. (1992), "Confidentiality about Health Problems at Work", Employee Counselling Today, Vol. 4 No. 4, pp. 10-14. https://doi.org/10.1108/13665629210017597