Question about doctors excuse for missed work

[bjz823]

For the past week I felt like I was getting a cold. I have a sore throat and pressure in my ears, nasal congestion and today I started with a cough and a low grade fever. I felt tired so I called off for work. My work asked that I go to the doctor before coming back to work since the Swine Flu is a concern right now and I work with the elderly. The nurse practitioner did a throat culture and it was negative for strep and told me to take it easy this weekend. My work requested a note from the doctor with my diagnosis. When I asked for this at my doctors office they said it is none of the business of my company. I asked them for a release to go back to work and the diagnosis on there so that my work knows I just have a cold.

I don't mind my work knowing what I have and I want them to know I am actually sick and did not just call off to go to the beach or something. My question is "Does a work place have the right to know an employees diagnosis if they call off from work and will be coming back to care for elderly residents and patients ?" The nurses at my doctors office just said they don't know if I could develope something later so they did not want to put a diagnosis on my doctors note for my work.

[lpnflorida]

In many places it is enough just to bring a doctors excuse clearing you to work as honestly it is a violation of your privacy to have to give more information than that. Unless of course it is a work related injury.

When I have called in sick I just say I am sick if they ask me what is wrong I repeat. I am sick.

[caliotter3]

All that is required is a release to return to work. If you shouldn't be around patients your doctor will not give you a release.