Annual Physical - Does Your Job Require This?

[seconddegreebsn]

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?

[seconddegreebsn]

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.

I've noticed certain hospitals (edited to remove names but they are big players in NYC and own many of the outer borough hospitals) require applicants to sign a form stating they do not have a condition that would bar you from being able to perform the job. Among the listed conditions are physical handicaps that hinder ambulation, seizure disorders, blindness/deafness and depression. Yes depression. Last I checked, most depression is treatable through therapy and medication but according to those facilities it would make you ineligible for hire and you are required to sign a statement saying you do not have nor have previously had depression (not sure how they're going to background check that). Given that's the current climate, I probably would never disclose any sort of psych history to the facility where I work unless it was one that required me to take leave of absence for treatment.

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

The only physical any of my employers have required were pre-employment physicals. Never heard of an employer requiring annual physicals.

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

They give us a form to fill out. It asks about any symptoms you're currently experiencing. It asks if you have any chronic illnesses. I have type 1 diabetes and the lady that runs the employee health clinic has worked with me enough to already know this. It asks what meds we take. I put down a list of med names only- no doses or frequencies to cover my butt and on the off chance that I end up getting tubed at work or something. It asks allergies. That's it. Not the super intimate questions yours asks.

Our physical is a BP check, a PPD, and a review of our immunization records.

[imintrouble, BSN, RN]

Never. If I were suddenly asked to get one, it would make me extremely nervous.

[kidzcare]

I have only been required to have pre-employment physicals. My main job does a health screening (BP, CMP, lipid screening) for a discount on insurance.

Would they accept a note from your doctor stating "Nurse X is under my care and I have determined that he/she is able to perform all required job functions with no limitations"? That way they get no specifics.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

We do get a discount on insurance if we submit paper work proving we had an annual wellness visit with our PCP. It asks for B/P, weight, if we smoke, and lipid panel results. I don't mind my employer knowing I am a bit soft in the middle and have a stellar lipid panel. We also get another discount for not being a smoker so they can know that as well.

[nrsang97, BSN, RN]

We must have a yearly TB test and fit test, along with a flu shot. That is it. We have never been asked about gyn exam results. The TB testing form asks have you gained or lost > or = to 10 pounds for fit reasons. We are also asked about pregnancy, but that has to do with getting the TB test and fit test. We are not asked about medications unless we are being hired.

[nrsang97, BSN, RN]

We do get a discount on insurance if we submit paper work proving we had an annual wellness visit with our PCP. It asks for B/P, weight, if we smoke, and lipid panel results. I don't mind my employer knowing I am a bit soft in the middle and have a stellar lipid panel. We also get another discount for not being a smoker so they can know that as well.

My employer does this also. They also make my husband take the same exam. If only one of us scores below the minimum points we do not get the discount.

This is not something done by employee health though. I feel employee health asking about last gyn exam results is strange.

[NanaPoo]

I've noticed certain hospitals (edited to remove names but they are big players in NYC and own many of the outer borough hospitals) require applicants to sign a form stating they do not have a condition that would bar you from being able to perform the job. Among the listed conditions are physical handicaps that hinder ambulation, seizure disorders, blindness/deafness and depression. Yes depression. Last I checked, most depression is treatable through therapy and medication but according to those facilities it would make you ineligible for hire and you are required to sign a statement saying you do not have nor have previously had depression (not sure how they're going to background check that). Given that's the current climate, I probably would never disclose any sort of psych history to the facility where I work unless it was one that required me to take leave of absence for treatment.

Whoa. I've had a very well controlled seizure disorder since my teens and I will NOT be informing my employer of it. It is absolutely not their business that I have it and that my last seizure was when I was 18 (I am 43 now).

"The ADA does not require applicants to voluntarily disclose that they have epilepsy or another disability unless they will need a reasonable accommodation for the application process (for example, permission to bring a service animal to an interview). Some individuals with epilepsy, however, choose to disclose their condition because they want their co-workers or supervisors to know what to do if they have a seizure. Often the decision to disclose depends on the type of seizure a person has, the need for assistance during or after a seizure, the frequency of seizures, and the type of work for which the person is applying."

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I required annual health screenings in my first so-called 'career' as a factory worker. However, in a decade of nursing I have never required annual health screenings.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

I have to do an annual physical with my agency, but the form is pretty innocuous. Weight, current/new medical conditions, do I drink/smoke and if so, how much, and do I have any condition that would limit/prevent me from doing my job. Nothing about psych issues, gynecological exams, medications...

I have to do annual TB screening and PPD placement at every job I work at (the agency will use my TB test from one of the hospitals for their own). The screening is the typical set of TB questions: any unexplained weight loss, cough, fever, prior positive PPD, etc.

The way each facility has scheduled it, I end up having a screening/PPD from someone every 6 months.

[dah doh, BSN, RN]

No annual physical required. We have annual TB testing and annual mask fit testing. We also get a health insurance premium discount if we do a questionnaire, a health screening (height, weight, BP, blood glucose, lipid panel) either at the facility or at your doctor's office (doctor must submit data) and do some health related activities.