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Medical Privacy in Employment

Meaning

Medical Privacy in Employment is the set of legal and regulatory protections governing how an employer can collect, store, and use an employee’s personal health information (PHI) and medical records. This principle mandates that employers maintain strict confidentiality of medical data, keeping it physically and digitally separate from general personnel files. The primary purpose is to prevent employment discrimination based on health status or disability and to ensure that health information is used only for legally permissible reasons, such as administering sick leave or determining reasonable accommodations. This safeguard promotes trust and encourages employees to seek necessary medical care.