Annual Physical - Does Your Job Require This?

Published

So I was notified by my supervisor that I was due for my annual physical. I asked what this entails and she was unable to give details. After seeing how poorly two pregnant coworkers and several nurses nearing retirement have been treated, I am extremely hesitant to share anything regarding my personal health with my employer. I perform my job with no limitations and have no diseases that would impact my employment there - everything else aside I don't really think is their business.

So I go to the physical and I'm handed a form with questions:

- what is your weight? Honey, my husband doesn't even know this and I'm not telling you. Frankly, I am not overweight, I have no obesity related illnesses, and I don't think my weight is my employer's business. They made a big stink when I refused to step on the scale and claimed it was for TB masks, but when I offered to re-do the mask fitting they backed down and said, "Well, as long as you haven't gained TOO much." That 's between me and a pint of Ben & Jerry's, thank you.

- Are you pregnant? I really hope no one answers this. It's a trap! When I am pregnant I am going to DENY until I have my FMLA approved because I have seen how they treat pregnant women at my job and it is shameful.

- What was the results of your last gyn exam? Thank you, but I prefer to not discuss my lady parts with my employer. I assure you there is nothing occurring with my lady parts that would in any way, shape or form affect my ability to perform my job. I wonder, do you ask male nurses about their last testicular exam, or did I just miss that question on the form?

- List every medication you are taking. If I was having issues with depression or anxiety that was being well controlled via medication, is that really my employer's business, especially if it doesn't affect my job performance?

The rest was making sure I was up to date on titers, testing for TB -both of which are perfectly reasonable.

Am I being overly sensitive in finding these questions far too personal? Is this typical for most places of employment?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It is typical. The weight question usually said have you gained or lost over 10 pounds- and they did use it to see if someone needed a re fitting for masks.

Meds I always left blank, but we did have an employee come in for a fitness for duty check- her co workers thought she was high but she was withdrawing from Lexapro, which we then knew from looking at her annual.

Titres and PPD, yes!

I used to work in Employee Health.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

All of my employers as an RN have required annuals.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.

never, in 43 years ;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

Never in 10 years, although we do have optional health screenings such as height, weight, blood pressure, and labs that allow for a discounted rate on health insurance. This would actually be a reason for me to leave a job. Unless it affects my job abilities (such as titers/PPD/pregnancy leading to a need to stay out of certain surgical cases), the facility has no need to know anything that happens at my personal health care providers' offices.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Uhhh.. I think the pregnant question is a no-no. Ditto to the OBGYN exam question.. The rest I am not too surprised with. I would leave those two questions blank, unless I was male.. Then I would have fun with it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Uhhh.. I think the pregnant question is a no-no. Ditto to the OBGYN exam question.. The rest I am not too surprised with. I would leave those two questions blank, unless I was male.. Then I would have fun with it.

I mean, that is a VERY personal question - when they asked why I didn't fill it out, I pushed back and said, "That's personal" and they dropped it. If I was struggling with infertility and undergoing treatment I would never disclose that to my employer and it would be very hurtful to have someone probing me about my gynecological health in that situation (truth be told, I am trying to get pregnant and want my employer to know very little about it since they seem to find a way to make pregnant women redundant, and this isn't on a high risk floor). Anything vaccination/infectious disease related is fair game but asking me personal questions about things I only discuss with my primary care provider feels extremely intrusive.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

They forgot to ask your skin color, age, marital status and annual income.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Only one employer ever required an annual physical. I thought that was rather persnickety for an employer that couldn't find the wherewithal to keep me working.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Inpatient Oncology/Public Health.

I have one every year but they don't ask about weight, pregnancy or gyn exams. They do ask about mental health and I divulge my therapist and psychiatrist's names, meds I'm on, and I'm still employed there after many years. I'm not sure about your place though.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pedi.

The only thing any of my jobs have ever required annually is a PPD.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Nope.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion