SA Request for More Information on Medical Certificate - Privacy Issue?

[Lollygagging]

I'm hoping someone will be able to help about a situation I'm in at my new job.

I attended an interview and was offered a position while sick with bronchitis which required an adjustment to my starting date of a week which I provided a medical certificate for. On my return, I caught gastro which was going around my house and could not return to work for another week. I provided another medical certificate to my manager, along with updates on my condition. Obviously this wasn't an ideal situation and I feel awful about the bad timing but my manager is now requesting that my doctor provide more information on my medical condition as proof that I've been unwell as she believes I have been sick for too long.

My issue is that this feels like a violation of my privacy and I am not comfortable allowing her to speak to my doctor as other issues were discussed within the appointment that are not relelvant to my job or ability to work. Am I right in believing that a medical certificate is meant to be regarded as proof of illness?

 

[Tim W]

I'm hoping someone will be able to help with some advice about a situation I'm in at my new job.

Well, since you ask..

1. Join your union.
   
   
2. For your employer, the issues here are twofold,
   even if they don't know it themselves.
   Those issues are your personal credibility generally,
   and your general fitness for the job.
   
   The employer is entitled to satisfy her/himself
   that you are fit to do the job for which you have been employed.
   
   Medical Certificates will account for your absence in arrears.
   But as to future fitness, consider asking your doctor to write
   some sort of letter/ note/ certificate similar to those they produce
   to certify as fit-for-work a worker coming back off compo.
   
   
3. You appear to have been most unlucky.
   Still, somebody has to be the person
   to whom the unlikely stuff happens.
   
   
4. Take steps to prevent the recurrence of the medical conditions.
   
   
5. See item 1.

 

[Serge Gorval]

^ the above issue has nothing to do with fitness, the OP is clearly unfit for duties as she has a medical certificate.

you are not obliged to disclose any details of your medical condition provided that you have given your employer a medical certificate or statutory declaration stating that you are unfit for duties.

the Employer cannot force you to disclose why you are unfit and has no access to such information as they are your personal records.
if you feel that adverse action is taken against you for this, you have a right to seek redress.

 

[harryluther]

I think every employee has the right to request for a medical certification.

 

[Tim W]

I think every employee has the right to request for a medical certification.

Did you mean "employer"?
Yes, but they are not generally entitled to the clinical details.

You do get employers who think that they are
somehow qualified to determine the credibility of a medical certificate
by knowing what the medical condition is. Nah.