Employer requesting medical history

bex2012

Ive had a look through the forum and cant find anything specific relating to this, so:

Can a employer suddenly (out of the blue) ask staff for a full medical history, including all known ailments, a full, detailed list of any medications being taken, and details of all hospital appointments?

I know potential employers can ask certain medical questions, like do you have a disability, so that they can make reasonable adjustments for you, but would this apply to already employed staff?

The logical part of me is saying no, as 1) The company have not said why they want the information. 2) What they are planning on doing with the information, and 3) How they plan to keep this information safe.
Plus I dont see how this is relevant to the job being done (cleaning). It just seems overly excessive!

Thomas_Hardy

The logical part of me says ask the employer those questions.

ValHaller

Of course they can ask. They can insist. I think I would just say "Why?" and leave it at that until they came back with a good reason.

Have they made the request in writing?

bex2012

Ah, you dont know the company... In 15 months they havent once managed to get the salary right on a 10hr wk, minimum wage job. I wouldnt trust them at all to know the law when they cant even calculate that 10 x 6.19 is £61.90...

bex2012

Yes, from what I understand is the forms arrived today, and they must be filled in by tomorrow. Why can they insist? (not being sarcastic, im genuinely interested).

Rylynn

Could this be for health and safety reasons, if you have a cleaning job and a bad back say they may need to look at whether you should be doing the job? Have you had a lot of time off sick?

Annisele

I can ask "bex2012, please post your entire medical history on MSE" - but you're free to completely ignore me (and you should).

Your employer can also ask pretty much anything they like. I think asking what they want them for is probably the best approach (but another is to ignore them completely).

LittleVoice

Where do you work? That is, what sort of workplace is it - office, clinic, shop, etc?

Are you really not aware of anything which may have prompted the request and the speed with which they are seeking the information?

bex2012

Its not actually me, its my Mum.
I can understand them asking the question "Do you have any health issues you think we should know about" - perfectly reasonable, as employers have a duty of care to employees and have to make reasonable adjustments, and in the case of a bad back, they could then say well dont lift heavy rubbish bags or carry the hoover up and down stairs, but to want to know what medication you are taking, and all details of hospital appointments? That just seems far too nosey, especially for a 2hr a night cleaning job where you dont even get paid if you are off sick any way.

bex2012

Oh, and the place of work is a court, for a large, national facilities management company.....

Rylynn

Has your mum had a lot of time off sick though as this could have prompted this request?