Occupational health companies - how confidential are they

[Hibby65]

After a period of sciatica month off, company are arranging a private company to review my work station and work practices, and a confidential chat on my health. They assure me that anything said to this company is confidential and they will not divulge anything to my company. However this company will then make a report to my company with their thoughts and recommendations.

Have been told l will probably been asked by them to give them permission to contact my go for access to my medical records

Anyone any experience with such a situation. How independent/ confidential are they. Worried it’s a subtle set up to get an independent company to gain access to my health records and then say with my diabetes lm not fit for purpose.

 

[lou258]

I had a review on tue as I’m newly diagnosed. They did a health review for first bit which I was told will not be shared, they came up with some recommendations theyll give to work (like fixed meal times, place to inject) then went thru some questions my mgr had raised. They didn’t ask for access to my medical records.

 

[Tannith]

After a period of sciatica month off, company are arranging a private company to review my work station and work practices, and a confidential chat on my health. They assure me that anything said to this company is confidential and they will not divulge anything to my company. However this company will then make a report to my company with their thoughts and recommendations.

Have been told l will probably been asked by them to give them permission to contact my go for access to my medical records

Anyone any experience with such a situation. How independent/ confidential are they. Worried it’s a subtle set up to get an independent company to gain access to my health records and then say with my diabetes lm not fit for purpose.

They won't be paying a private company to do a report on you and keep what you say confidential. What your own company is paying for is information about you which may be useful to them. I have been asked to give access to my medical records but decided it was one of those offers you can't refuse. You can refuse, but if you do they may make a judgement based on your refusal.

 

[DCUKMod]

After a period of sciatica month off, company are arranging a private company to review my work station and work practices, and a confidential chat on my health. They assure me that anything said to this company is confidential and they will not divulge anything to my company. However this company will then make a report to my company with their thoughts and recommendations.

Have been told l will probably been asked by them to give them permission to contact my go for access to my medical records

Anyone any experience with such a situation. How independent/ confidential are they. Worried it’s a subtle set up to get an independent company to gain access to my health records and then say with my diabetes lm not fit for purpose.

I haven't been through this myself, but I did help someone with an Absence Policy problem over a preiod, about a year ago.

To be honest, I would have thought that you would, at some point, sign a consent to the process. That should state what will or won't be shared (although not in any detail).

For the person I was helping, her consent included the ability to request sight of the resultant report before it was shared with her employer. Naturally, she took the opportunity to see the outputs.

Just take it all steady.

If you are in direct contact with them, then ask them to provide, probably easiest by email, a copy of the documentation you will be expected to sign, so that you can read it slowly and raise any questions you have, ahead of your appointment with them.

Let's face it, just prior to that meeting you may be a bit distracted by what's coming up, without the hassle of digesting a consent form that may include legalese language.

Good luck with it all.

 

[Biggles2]

I have not been through this process either, so I just have general tips on how I would approach this.

It may be helpful to take a look at the website of the organization your company has hired to conduct your review. I would expect that they have information for employees and employers on their website. Take a look at both so that you have a better idea of what to expect. It may help to put your mind at ease.

You may also be interested in the following 2011 government report. It is lengthy, but easy to navigate. It explains the rationale for undertaking an independent review of sickness absence, and describes the benefits of such a review for the employee, the employer, and broader society:
“Health at work: An independent review of sickness absence” (2011), Dame Carol Black and David Frost, CBE:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/181060/health-at-work.pdf

 

[Resurgam]

There might be something that could be done to help with the sciatica - I found that mine went when I changed the chair I sit in to use the PC to one which was low enough for my short legs.

 

[DCUKMod]

I have not been through this process either, so I just have general tips on how I would approach this.

It may be helpful to take a look at the website of the organization your company has hired to conduct your review. I would expect that they have information for employees and employers on their website. Take a look at both so that you have a better idea of what to expect. It may help to put your mind at ease.

You may also be interested in the following 2011 government report. It is lengthy, but easy to navigate. It explains the rationale for undertaking an independent review of sickness absence, and describes the benefits of such a review for the employee, the employer, and broader society:
“Health at work: An independent review of sickness absence” (2011), Dame Carol Black and David Frost, CBE:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/181060/health-at-work.pdf

Thanks Biggles. I've saved that report for perusal at another time.

 

[Hibby65]

Thanks everyone

 

[Jo_the_boat]

There might be something that could be done to help with the sciatica - I found that mine went when I changed the chair I sit in to use the PC to one which was low enough for my short legs.

You know, I think there's something very valid here. I spent countless hours sitting in a high chair while writing and I'm pretty sure it has contributed to back and leg problems. I too am short of height! I've been referred to a bio-mechanical specialist and vascular consultant after my foot test so I'll mention this to them.
(I know this is a thread drift but the OP has had some valuable help)