The DPA doesn't proscribe use of e-mail to convey sensitive data, though company policies may..
I do not regard e-mail as any less secure than ordinary mail (letters can be opened, go astray etc) However, I always ask the person referred to in a report whether they have any objection, before doing so. And double check addresses.
E-mail does have great advantages: speed, an automatically filed (on my PC) record of the letter, and both manager & member of staff receive the report at the same time. Each can see from the headers that the other has received a copy.
Reports do not usually contain any confidential information on diagnosis. Surely we should be limiting our reports to the functional impact of health problems & possible adjustments, rather than giving the manager information on the underlying medical condition, if any.
And, with short-term absence, with over 50%, the report is only saying that the person hasn't any medical problems and should be capable of regular, reliable attendance!
Regards
Dr. Alan Swann, BM, AFOM
Director of Occupational Health
Occupational Health Service
Imperial College London
Southside building
South Kensington Campus
London
SW7 2AZ
Tel: +44 (20) 7594 9385
Fax: +44 (20) 7594 9407
https://www.imperial.ac.uk/spectrum/occhealth
-----Original Message-----
From: Jacqui Livock [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 08 December 2004 07:18
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: DPA
hi all
i know this is probably an old chestnut but searching the archives did not
provide the info i require...
i am aware that there is new guidance pending and i was seeking opinions
on the use of email.(i am writing guidance for managers on contacting OH.)
if a manager puts a name and diagnosis (or possible diagnosis) in an email
on a monitored system is this a breach of the data protection act?
also- what are the lists' opinions or best practice on emailling of OH
reports to HR or managers?
i already have a standard phrase to inform managers that individuals can
read what they write on an email/referral so they are aware of that.
jacqui
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please remove this footer before replying.
For list archives and documents, go to
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/occ-health.html for list archives
For jobs in Occupational Health, go to
http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/OHJobs/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please remove this footer before replying.
For list archives and documents, go to
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/occ-health.html for list archives
For jobs in Occupational Health, go to
http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/OHJobs/
|