[BreezeeBC]

Hi:
I have been employed part-time at a business almost a year and have been doing quite well. Have not called off sick at all and the few times I have had to take off were for dr/counselor appointments.
What are the legal questions my boss can ask me about my illness? I work in a 3 person office (my boss being one of the three).
I like to keep my illness to myself (diagnosed schizoaffective with bipolar)
Any replies will be greatly appreciated!!
BreezeeBC

Nada. It's illegal. If you get into a situation where you could be questioned over too many appts the look into fmla (if you are in the US). Doesn't sound like you are anywhere needing that.

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Actually there is nothing he can legally ask you about you illness. But if you feel that he should know, like for example, you have an "episode" at work and he doesn't understand what is happening it might actually make him want to fire you after that. But if you where to tell him, only things you want him to know, in case that were to happen he might be more inclined to keep you at your job.

He doesn't need to know anything, and it's entirely legal not to tell him. The only time I told my boss about my condition, is when I actually had an attack while working. She seemed mad at me afterward, but it wasn't my fault. I'd keep it to yourself unless it's needed. C:

[hurting__]

I'd only tell him if you feel like it's affecting your work and you felt like you needed to explain why. Other than that, unfortunately people do hold things against you and it's probably best to keep it to yourself for as long as you can!

[healingme4me]

Don't ask, don't tell. My employer is only aware of my MS because my ex husband copied and submitted two pages from the divorce decree, one page visitation(which, sure, I can see ok), the other page on health insurance, which specified how and why I am covered indefinitely, unless remarry or he retires.(um, not necessary...)

Same goes for any illness, physical or mental, need to know basis.

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[Perna]

Anyone, anywhere can ask you anything at all but you do not have to answer. If you are threatened for not answering, that is a different thing. Why are you worried about this now?

If you don't want to say much, just let them know you are taking time off for a "doctor's appointment". They may request a note from the doctor or something, there are old fashioned places like that but they are usually bigger where people abuse their sick leave or whatever. I doubt they will say much of anything except, since it is such a small/close office, maybe they will be concerned you are "sick" and want personal reassurance in a good way that you are fine (not in pain or worried or that they might be able to help in some way) so maybe I'd just say a "routine doctor's appointment". I liked when I worked part-time because it was easier to schedule things when I wasn't due to work so I didn't have to think what to say as I didn't have to say anything at all.

If you have a problem though, it can get worse if your employer is clueless; no one likes to be "surprised" and if you haven't told them anything they can't be required to help/accommodate; it can be a two-edged sword. But, in such a small office, everything is more personal and less official anyway (they are not big enough for many laws to apply) and it gets to a he said/she said sort of situation which is hard to prove wrongdoing for.

Originally Posted by Perna

Anyone, anywhere can ask you anything at all but you do not have to answer. If you are threatened for not answering, that is a different thing. Why are you worried about this now?

If you don't want to say much, just let them know you are taking time off for a "doctor's appointment". They may request a note from the doctor or something, there are old fashioned places like that but they are usually bigger where people abuse their sick leave or whatever. I doubt they will say much of anything except, since it is such a small/close office, maybe they will be concerned you are "sick" and want personal reassurance in a good way that you are fine (not in pain or worried or that they might be able to help in some way) so maybe I'd just say a "routine doctor's appointment". I liked when I worked part-time because it was easier to schedule things when I wasn't due to work so I didn't have to think what to say as I didn't have to say anything at all.

If you have a problem though, it can get worse if your employer is clueless; no one likes to be "surprised" and if you haven't told them anything they can't be required to help/accommodate; it can be a two-edged sword. But, in such a small office, everything is more personal and less official anyway (they are not big enough for many laws to apply) and it gets to a he said/she said sort of situation which is hard to prove wrongdoing for.

Employers are restricted from asking employees or potential employees certain questions. The reason is simply asking a question puts undue pressure on the employee to answer even if they know it is an improper question.

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[Perna]

Good list of what's proper versus improper (proving it is another matter is why I say they can ask whatever they want; it's just extremely bad form and if you want to work for such a place after they operate that way, that's not what I would do):

http://www.mtu.edu/equity/pdfs/whaty...ion8-12-04.pdf