Are employers allowed to require employees to submit to medical tests?
In Washington, employers are allowed to require employees to submit to medical tests, but there are some restrictions that must be observed. First, employers must be able to demonstrate a reasonable business necessity for requiring the medical tests. This means the tests must be related to specific job requirements, and the results must be kept confidential and not used to discriminate against an employee. Second, employers must follow state and federal laws regarding medical examinations. Any tests must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and must not be a condition of employment. For example, employers may not require a pre-employment physical exam unless it is related to the specific job the employee is being hired to do. Finally, employers must actively ensure that any medical information collected is legally obtained, securely stored and used only for the purpose it was gathered. An employee must be informed of the medical tests, the purpose behind them, and the security measures in place to protect their medical information. It is important to note that employers are only allowed to require medical tests if they follow the above regulations and employees are also allowed to refuse a medical test if they choose to do so. With that said, employers should always ensure they remain in compliance with applicable laws when requiring employees to submit to medical tests.
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