Bulletin
Medical Privacy – Requests for Medical Information
March 20, 2019
To: All MoveUP Members at BC Hydro & Powertech Labs
This is a general reminder regarding the medical information that can be requested by BC Hydro. The only forms that BC Hydro can request are the standard Attending Physician’s Statement (APS), Sick Leave Support Statement (SLSS) and/or Functional Assessment Form (FAF). Please do not volunteer to provide any additional information beyond what is required by the collective agreement.
Furthermore, it has recently come to our attention that some MoveUP members at BC Hydro are being asked to provide APS after every single absence. It is the union’s position that it is in violation of the collective agreement.
MoveUP takes the protection of your personal medical information with the utmost seriousness and has spent many years in discussion and arbitration with BC Hydro to ensure that your privacy rights are respected. The current forms allow BC Hydro to collect medical information from MoveUP members working at BC Hydro, but only to the extent required for their respective purposes.
In some rare cases, more information may be required, and a further letter to an employee’s doctor may be required. However, these cases are the exception to the rule, and all such additional requests for information should be reviewed by the union so that we can ensure that your privacy and the privacy of all MoveUP members is given the protection it deserves.
If you are asked to provide medical information outside of the standard forms, or if you have any questions about a request your employer has made for medical information, please contact a job steward or the union office immediately.
Your Union Representatives:
Alina Teymory
Barbara Junker
Mike Novak
Tony Geluch