Medical Records at Work
Lots of employers keep medical records about their staff. This can contain all kinds of secret sensitive information such as who carries the HIV virus and who had to have time off work for an abortion. Employers have special duties with such sensitive personal data under the Data Protection Act.
Tony Forster, a partner in our Company Commercial Department, says “We are getting an increasing number of calls from clients about the Data Protection Act. The draft Part 4 of the Code of Practice on Information about Workers’ health has just been published by the data protection office which will provide useful guidance in this sector. It follows Parts 1 - 3 which covered employment, data protection and (i) recruitment (ii) records and (iii) employee surveillance.
The code aims to give employers clear and practical guidance about how to comply with data protection law when handling information about workers’ health including:
- the operation of
- occupational health schemes;
- medical testing of workers;
- drug and alcohol testing, genetic testing in the workplace”.
For further information about data protection obligations call Tony Forster on (0117) 929 0451 or e-mail tforster@metcalfes.co.uk
This press release summarises the law on issues which we believe may be of interest to your business. It is not a comprehensive review of the subjects and accordingly is published without responsibility for loss occasioned to any person(s) acting or refraining from action as a result of information published