Alberta Human Rights Information Service January 29, 2009
New Commission publication: Obtaining and responding to medical information in the workplace
The Commission has launched a new interpretive bulletin titled Obtaining and responding to medical information in the workplace. You can link to the text version and the . This publication was developed in response to the many inquiries that the Commission receives from both employers and employees about medical information issues related to medical absences and an employee's medical ability to work. The publication will help employers, employees, and physicians achieve good communication and effective workplace accommodations for employees.
The Commission is grateful to the external stakeholders who gave feedback during the development of the publication to help make it more useful to the target audiences.
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.
The Commission is also developing three plain language information sheets to complement the bulletin. The information sheets will provide quick reference information from the interpretive bulletin, and each one will be aimed at one of the target audiences: employers, employees, or physicians. Once the information sheets are released, the Commission will undertake a promotional campaign to promote the bulletin and information sheets to the various audiences. The information sheets will also be featured in an upcoming issue of Alberta Human Rights Information Service (AHRIS).
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.
