Question: Is it legal for a job to require specific medical info. from an employee?

My husband is having a problem with his job where any time he has to call out sick, his job wants specific medical details. A doctor note that just says he was treated is not enough for his supervisors. They claim they need to know exactly what he was treated for, any prescriptions that might have been given to him, etc. I'm not sure if this is legal, but I feel like it just can't be. I think I've heard of laws protecting patient privacy, but I can't remember what they're called, or any specifics. Does anyone know anything about this? We're so confused because his union rep. is no help and he doesn't have an HR office to ask. I just feel like his supervisors are taking advantage of their "power" and it just doesn't seem fair. Someone that he used to work with quit because the supervisor called her doctor to try to find out exactly why she was out from work. Is it legal for them to do that????

Re: Question: Is it legal for a job to require specific medical info. from an employee?

Well, my DH works for the city and their doctor's note is WAY more specific than just "XYZ was out of work because he was ill"

I just read that its a Union job, then yeah, they probably have it in their contract then.

Re: Question: Is it legal for a job to require specific medical info. from an employee?

I'm not legal or HR but I have to say HELLLLLLLL NO! Here's the HIPAA site:
http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/index.html

Re: Question: Is it legal for a job to require specific medical info. from an employee?

I'm in HR. If it's furnished to the privacy officer (NOT his manager), it's legal. We require paperwork to be filled out for disability, etc. If a manager feels an employee if lying about his sick days, they can ask for a note to be faxed to the privacy officer.

I'm not sure of union jobs because they are covered under an agreement. If his rep is no help, I'd escalate the matter with the union.

Re: Question: Is it legal for a job to require specific medical info. from an employee?

it does not sound legal to me. i work in a hospital and the patients rights are under a law called HIPPA. in my office, we don't even give results to spouses or family members unless there are extreme circumstances. sounds fishy to me. it is no ones business, especially medication