Hello all
Tribunal does not necessarily equate with
disciplinary action- it may be some "contest" as to how the firm responded to
a health issue.
I have had the unpleasant experience of, having
supported an employee through a return to work for work related stress, being
accused by their solicitor of "harassing the employee by telephone". I now
make a note of who initiated a phone call each time in the notes, as that
level of detail was asked of me. The employee's case against the firm
looked less strong when I produce her handwritten thank you card,
thanking me for all my help (which I had kept as part of the medical
record)
Sometimes the employees are OK but when
solicitors get hold it can take quite a different turn.
I agree that dates of appointments are usually
known, and I would often email a manager to say that I had spoken with an
employee on long term sick (the employee knew I was going to do this). I
agree with Lucy- HR knows that OH records are usually in good
order. if it comes to a tribunal the employee is likely to have given
written permission to disclose to the firms legal department. If not ,
then err on the side of caution.
Happy New Year
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, January 05, 2004 7:56
PM
Subject: Confidentiality of
records
One for the New Year if you don't mind getting
the grey matter going again after the festivities
I was asked before Christmas - at quite short
notice - to provide to our HR department a list of dates on which I had
seen, spoken to or corresponded with an employee. The employee
was due to take us to a tribunal in the next week but has since withdrawn
her claim. I did not provide the details stating that I would wish
consent to be provided first. Unfortunately, consent was not provided
in time for the submission. My actions are now being called into
question as it has been put to me that dates, which many others knew
of anyway, are not confidential. I am not so sure as I understand they
are part of the content of the OH records.
View welcome please
Many thanks
Lindsey Hall
National OH
Manager
Environment Agency
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please
remove this footer before replying. Visit
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/occ-health.html for list archives
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please remove this footer before replying. Visit
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/occ-health.html for list archives
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please remove this footer before replying.
Visit http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/occ-health.html for list archives
