Are employers allowed to ask for medical information?

In Washington, employers are allowed to ask for medical information from applicants and employees, but only under certain circumstances. For example, they can ask a medical professional to provide a physical exam to determine if the applicant is physically capable of performing the job’s essential functions. They can also ask questions relating to an applicant’s ability to perform certain job functions, as long as this does not cross the line into asking about an applicant’s disability or medical condition. Beyond these limited circumstances, before employers can make any requests for medical information from applicants or employees, they must first receive written authorization from the employee. This authorization must include a detailed explanation of the reasons why the employer needs this information, and what it will be used for. The employer must also spell out that the employee is not obligated to provide the requested information. The laws governing labor in Washington also require that employers must keep any and all medical information they receive from applicants or employees confidential. This information must be stored separately from normal personnel files and must only be accessed by those individuals whose job duties require them to do so. Overall, employers are allowed to ask for medical information in Washington, but only in certain limited circumstances and only with written authorization from the employee. The goal of these laws is to protect the privacy of employees and ensure that their medical information is handled responsibly.

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Are employers allowed to ask for medical information?

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