Obtaining and responding to medical information in the workplace
The Alberta Human Rights Commission receives many inquiries from both employers and employees about medical information issues related to medical absences and an employee’s ability to work. The Commission has developed the interpretive bulletin Obtaining and responding to medical information in the workplace to help employers, employees and doctors achieve good communication and effective workplace accommodations for employees. The bulletin includes a Sample Medical Absence Form and a Sample Medical Ability to Work Form. The forms were developed in consultation with the Alberta Federation of Labour, Alberta Medical Association, Alberta Workers’ Health Centre, and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta.
Three plain language information sheets complement the comprehensive interpretive bulletin. Each information sheet is aimed at one of three target audiences—employers, employees, or doctors—who all play a role in gathering and providing reasonable medical information about an employee’s disability.
The Commission anticipates that these resources will help employers, employees, and doctors achieve good communication and effective workplace accommodations for employees.
Interpretive bulletin
Obtaining and responding to medical information TEXT / PDF
Information sheets
- Obtaining and responding to medical information in the workplace:
A summary for employers TEXT / PDF - Obtaining and responding to medical information in the workplace:
A summary for employees TEXT / PDF - Obtaining and responding to medical information in the workplace:
A summary for doctors TEXT / PDF
Created: November 3, 2009
Due to confidentiality concerns, the Commission cannot reply
to complaints of discrimination using the Internet.
Please contact the Commission by telephone or regular mail
if you have a specific complaint.
The Commission will make publications available in accessible multiple formats upon request. Multiple formats provide access for people with disabilities who do not read conventional print.
