Can you confirm employee went to Doctor

[dodo]

If an employee goes to Doctor for appointment can the employer ring the Doctor to confirm employee attended ,

 

[fobs]

i imagine this information would be confidential between patient and doctor. Could get the employee to get a doctors note of attendance to prove visit but this would be up to the employee to agree to if not in their contract.

 

[Gus2008]

I would imagine that provided the employer was just looking to confirm attendance, and no other personal details were disclosed, that it would be ok.

I know of a disciplinary case where an employee claimed to be in hospital, and the employer rang to verify. I don't believe the employer was questioned on his right to verify the information.

 

[NicolaM]

Hi
The employer certainly can ring the GP, but no information should be given,even to confirm attendance, without the express consent of the employee. As fobs said, this information is confidential.
Nicola

 

[Joe1234]

Hi
The employer certainly can ring the GP, but no information should be given,even to confirm attendance, without the express consent of the employee. As fobs said, this information is confidential.
Nicola

Surely, if the employee tells employer that they need time off to go to the doctor, and the employee is continuing to be paid while away from work, then it is reasonable to assume that the employer can enquire that they are where they say they are.

 

[Flax]

Why can't they just get a doctors note?

 

[NicolaM]

Hi Joe1234
The employer is certainly entitled to enquire of the employee where they were, and the employee may then give permission for the practice to confirm they attended. However, an employer does not have any right to get information from a doctor, even confirming attendance at an appointment, without express consent from the employee(who isn't an 'employee' when attending a GP, but is a 'patient' and the doctor has a duty to protect the patient's confidentiality).

Nicola