Day: Minus Two - Should I confide to my Employer

[TB113]

Hello everyone, I have been reading some of the posts regarding some of us who are on Day 1, Day 3, and I must admit I am a little horrified.  I am day Minus Two.  And I am horrified.  My Day One will be this Thursday.  I have an appointment with a Chemical Dep Recovery Program Friday morning.  I plan to work Thursday and Friday, and then take off as long as I need to get over the hump next week.

My question:  Should I confide with my employer?  Should I be honest with them?

I noticed some posts indicating to claim to having the flu.  Well that won't work for me, for I had the H1N1 in Mid January.  Can't exactly say I got the other flu now, they'll be more suspicious then anything else.  This is why I am considering discussing openly with my boss.

Please, I would like very much to hear your points of view.

Good day to everyone, and please help to those who have posted today, and are in their early days.  I have one message for them:  Fight this, this is a war, don't give in, and fight back.  Don't let the drugs win.
Best,

[helpme2195]

The employer has a right to know "why" their costs have increased and the report will show them.  Your identity will not be kept confidential the employer will know who and why.  But it is kept on the highest level of Mgnt. for example: a shop supervisor or floor supervisor will not know the details, but HR manager and CEO will know. They are not allowed to share the information with anyone who works below them.  The HR Manager and CEO will not know the extensive details but will know what type of clinic you sought out.  They will know it was for chemical depend, but not know what type of chemical.  In my experience I have always known what employees have gone for treatment, but I have always kept it confidential and have protected the rights of my employees, if you have a good HR manager he/she will do the same for you.

[TB113]

Should I not utilize my insurance plans CDRP?  Should I try to do this on my own?  I have e-mailed my doctor, and again she is insisting that is kept confidential.  I have a feeling she is unaware of the reporting indirectly with regards to utilization costs.  Is it possible that this may be reported on a utilization report, but the patient identity kept confidential?

[helpme2195]

Yes, he is protected under FMLA but unfortunately the employer does find out why and what is going on.  under the law they cannot use it against him, but that doesn't mean they wont find other ways 'if " they want to let him go.  They will first ask them themselves 'is this employee worth the cost" because the company's costs will have increased or is this employee not worth keeping due to attendance issues or performance? There might be some other underlying issues going on, but if you feel that you're being discriminated against because of health reasons, there are laws to protect you.  You will have to contact EOP

[WannaBeFree79]

My hubby took 28 days off of work to help me detox.  His job was protected under FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act) since addiction is considered a disease.  Is there anything to protect the actual employee?  It may be worth looking into.

Good Luck & God Bless!

WannaBeFree

[helpme2195]

Your employer pays a certain percentage every month to the Insurance company to cover each employee its the "base" pay per month, now when there are additional cost outside of the "base" pay such as surgeries, cancer treatments or hospital stays the employer gets a report of those additional costs.  Now this normally kept between the HR manager and the CEO who handles the Benefit Budget and cannot be shared with anyone else.  

[TB113]

They have told me it will be kept confidential.  How would the employer find out?  In what way does this get communicated to them?  

[helpme2195]

I am currently an unemployed HR Manager (do to the economy) in the expertise in Employee Health Benefits, and yes your employer will find out about this.  Go to your HR manager and confide in Him/her.  The HR manager is obligated to keep it confidential and not tell your immediate supervisor.  They should not use this against you but if conflicts with your work performance they just might. Do you have vacation time u can use during your recovery time?

[TB113]

Yes, I am going through my PCP through my insurance through my employer, yes.  In CA, it is with Kaiser Permanente.  Are you suggesting this mightt get back to my employer this way?  Wouldn't they keep it confidential?

[helpme2195]

Does your Chem Dep Recovery program require you to use your insurance through your employer?