Work Ethics - Can your boss make u sign papers?

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CatLaw	From an employers point of view: Coworker A's disability is no one business but hers, her doctors, and HR. If HR approved it, then the disability is approved. Not a topic of discussion. Depending upon the disability Coworker A may be able to do lots of things and attend lots of functions. To avoid violating HIPPA laws the discussion of a particular employee's medical history is OFF LIMITS. Coworker B is a gossip and a tattle-tale. Yes, kiddie terms, but B is acting like a child. It is none of Coworker B's business if Coworker A is at a function. B needs to stop gossiping with C and get back to work. B was probably required to sign a statement of just exactly what B told C about A, just to make sure B didn't exaggerate A's condition. If investigation proves B did exaggerate, B may be in trouble. I would also make B sign a document that informed her that other worker's medical conditions was off limits for discussion. Coworker C is a snitch and a tattle-tale. Again none of C's business what Coworker A is doing. Running to the boss about every piece of gossip will get C labeled, not a good lablel either. If C exaggerated what B actually said, C may be in trouble. Either way boss will never trust B or C with any confidential or sensitive information. Gossips and those who take the gossip and spread it again are major problems with employers. Those actions waste time, demoralize the staff, breed cliques, are real ethical errors. Workers other than B & C are probably carrying the workload while these two gossip over the fence like the 1950's housewives. B and C obviously do not have enough of a work load, if they can spend that much time being interested in what A did. As for ethics, it is inapporpriate to discuss any one elses medical condition, A may even have a HIPPA issue with this. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

peilthetraveler	I dont understand what the big deal was? people on disability do not have the right to go out to functions? I mean if this function was co-worker A playing football or something, i can understand, but if "A" was just sitting around BSing whats the big deal with signing a peice of paper? Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

googie	Judge Judy would say that the evidence is hearsay and is not admissible. COworker C should be shunned or given a good kick in the rump.Runto the Boss!! Run to the Boss!! Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

Rick B	Well, they could always be subpeona'd then they'd have to testify. Why are you so concerned over signing this. Forced or not, it sounds like the right thing to do. Why would they not sign a statement as to what they saw? Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

Janey	This is not a legal answer as I'm not qualified but common sense says that what the boss asked worker B to do is not included in the job description (it would be really stretching things to say it is). You say the boss made worker B feel like she had no other choice, how so? Was it a case of "I'm the boss you do as I say" or was there any hint that her job was in jeopardy? If you guys have a union then worker B could have said to the boss, I'll get some advice before I sign or if no union then same deal -I'll get some advice before I sign (the boss can be left guessing where worker B is getting advice from). Depends really on the dynamics of your workplace also if you can appeal against unfair dismissal if it came to the crunch. The boss's position should be respected not feared and open communication should be the norm. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

richard t	NO Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

tiffany	A manager can never make you sign papers. They can ask you for a written statement if they believe you may have been a witness to something that would be a detriment to the company, but you can always consult someone before signing anything. You could delay your supervisor by saying something like "I misspoke" or "My words were misconstrued" or "I don't feel comfortable putting anything in writing, since I didn't see her doing anything that would be in violation of her disability. Especially when they are feeling over-worked, co-workers can be quick to judge others without knowing all the facts, but a person can be on disability for any reason. Not everyone who is on disability is visibly or physically disabled. For instance, a person can have a mental health issue, even a stressor or sudden emotional trauma, that affects his ability to perform regular duties at a very stressful job, but is able to attend a social function where he is surrounded by family and friends, or he can attend a training seminar where there is little or no work pressure and he feels safe. Only that person's doctor can make the decision about readiness to return to work. It seems from your description that Co-worker B was not very close to Co-worker A; Co-worker C is looking for brownie points with the boss; and the boss is someone who quickly accepts what he/she hears without verifying the information. This is a prime example of how workplace gossip can hurt people. Your entire workplace would benefit from assertiveness and diversity training. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No