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My dad's hepatitis and his job.........please help
My Dad is actually the one with Hepatitis C. He revealed it to his work in 2009. They have now come to him with a letter that states he has to take it to a doctor to be signed that he is able to perform his duties and is not a risk to himself or others. Is this legal?? Of course he is not a risk, if he cuts his self and bleeds he cleans it up with bleach just as anyone would or should. I can not see how they can do this to him. Any advice or help?
Being a good person does not protect you from personal tragedy, unfortunately. My daughter's room-mate lost his mother, then his Dad's next wife passed away and then his Dad passed away and he's still in his mid-twenties. That's alot for someone to bear so early in life and life throws a heavy load at us sometimes. I'm sorry your Dad has experienced such hardship.
If your Dad can't afford the drugs, are you aware that the drug companies have a support plan that your Dad can apply to and that he might be able to get this covered by the drug company? I'm wondering why the insurance company dropped paying for his treatment. Does he need to find a better or different doctor? The one he had might not have been the best for him, is that possible?
I still say your Dad...and you ... should not look at this letter as persecution. It's more a protection. Once he has a letter from a doctor that says he's not a risk in the ways this loudmouth is probably saying he is, then perhaps he has some right to ask the employer to shut her down from maligning him in the workplace. The employer himself has nothing to work with either at the moment and that gives them both some power when there is a letter from a doctor to back up both of their positions. Just something to think about.
Beyond that, I hope he's holding his head up and not letting her make him feel ashamed or victimized. Sounds like your Dad has alot to be proud of, from the way you're telling it. Remind him of the person you see in him. I know when my kids do that for me, it makes me stand a little taller, a little prouder and alot stronger. What my own kids think of me matters a great deal more than what anyone else does. Let him know how highly you think of him and that you believe in him. That you don't see a victim, you see a warrior and a good man....and a good father. That will mean alot to him and help him fight better. Good luck to both of you.
Trish
If your Dad can't afford the drugs, are you aware that the drug companies have a support plan that your Dad can apply to and that he might be able to get this covered by the drug company? I'm wondering why the insurance company dropped paying for his treatment. Does he need to find a better or different doctor? The one he had might not have been the best for him, is that possible?
I still say your Dad...and you ... should not look at this letter as persecution. It's more a protection. Once he has a letter from a doctor that says he's not a risk in the ways this loudmouth is probably saying he is, then perhaps he has some right to ask the employer to shut her down from maligning him in the workplace. The employer himself has nothing to work with either at the moment and that gives them both some power when there is a letter from a doctor to back up both of their positions. Just something to think about.
Beyond that, I hope he's holding his head up and not letting her make him feel ashamed or victimized. Sounds like your Dad has alot to be proud of, from the way you're telling it. Remind him of the person you see in him. I know when my kids do that for me, it makes me stand a little taller, a little prouder and alot stronger. What my own kids think of me matters a great deal more than what anyone else does. Let him know how highly you think of him and that you believe in him. That you don't see a victim, you see a warrior and a good man....and a good father. That will mean alot to him and help him fight better. Good luck to both of you.
Trish
His insurance quit paying for his treatments so he can no longer afford them and his current doctor wont do anything for him because of that. So, now we are trying to find a doctor to do a physical basically to say he is ok. It is such a mess :( He lost his wife two years ago to pancreatic cancer and work is what he has left, you know, aside from us of course, but in regards to filling his days it is work and he has been a darn good employee even over the last few very rough years. He is in remission from stomach cancer which got really bad a few years ago and the man went back to work after chemo treatments! It just seems like some people soar through life with hardly any "major" problems and others constantly have things coming at them and its not right. My dad is such a good person, for others to do him this way really gets under my skin.
I am going to try to get all answers here, sorry if I miss any I will come back to them if I do. As far as his line of work, he is a maintenance man for an apartment community. They always have bleach on hand for cleaning vacant apartments, so I just say that he can use some bleach and water to clean up. I just feel that anyone who cuts themselves would or should do that, not that it is always handy, but in cases of larger businesses there should be something? I am not sure if he told others or just his boss, that is one I will have to find out. I personally would not have told any of them as it is not their business. I am going to read over more and anwer the rest.......thank you all for your responses.
Your Dad's employer hasn't had to deal with any issues in this regard until this employee has forced the issue. Frankly, this employee will keep making noise most likely and I think the best way to shut her up is to get the letter. Any hesitation will come across as he has something to hide. If your Dad takes the approach that he's happy to do what he can to reassure folks that there is no risk, that will be perceived well. With that letter in the employer's hands, then your Dad has some leverage perhaps to request that the employee be privately addressed by the employer and *required* to stop spreading falsehoods about your father. That the matter has been investigated, a doctor's letter has been received and there are no concerns. If the other employees know your Dad provided a letter then it will look better on him. If he doesn't....the rumour mill might keep on flying. It isn't about what's fair necessarily, it's about what's strategic. A letter from a doctor supporting your father is alot more powerful than your Dad simply saying so himself and relying on the employer and employees to have sufficient knowledge of Hep C. There are just way too many people who know the stereotypes but not the reality.
Try to separate your emotion out of this. It's hard when you love your Dad and don't want him treated badly or unfairly. Your Dad needs to make a strategic move here and so you need to clear your head and understand that.
Good luck to your Dad with this ... and to you in supporting him. You're a good and caring daughter.
Trish
Try to separate your emotion out of this. It's hard when you love your Dad and don't want him treated badly or unfairly. Your Dad needs to make a strategic move here and so you need to clear your head and understand that.
Good luck to your Dad with this ... and to you in supporting him. You're a good and caring daughter.
Trish
Yes, it doesn't help much now, but the moral of the story is:
Never tell anyone unless it is morally required (when they may have have a chance of exposure). This means they somehow must have blood-to-blood contact with the carrier.
I think it's pretty clear that discrimination based on his health status is illegal. However, as also pointed out, at this point, simply getting a letter is probably the simplest thing to do, and it makes everyone happy.
Never tell anyone unless it is morally required (when they may have have a chance of exposure). This means they somehow must have blood-to-blood contact with the carrier.
I think it's pretty clear that discrimination based on his health status is illegal. However, as also pointed out, at this point, simply getting a letter is probably the simplest thing to do, and it makes everyone happy.
Your father is not required by law to provide a letter to his employer. There are no restrictions unless it has been shown that he was responsible for transmitting the virus to other people. Because of the ADA ( Americans with Disabilities Act) no one can prevent a person from practicing their profession unless they have an infection and are giving to others.
Hepatitis C testing is not done on healthcare workers, but hepatitis B testing is to ensure that they are all vaccinated or have antibodies. Even healthcare workers with hepc are allowed to practice without restrictions.
Personally, I would have never disclosed my heath status to any company or co-worker but since the cat is out of the bag and for simplicity sake I guess the letter would make things easier in the long run.
Trinity
Hepatitis C testing is not done on healthcare workers, but hepatitis B testing is to ensure that they are all vaccinated or have antibodies. Even healthcare workers with hepc are allowed to practice without restrictions.
Personally, I would have never disclosed my heath status to any company or co-worker but since the cat is out of the bag and for simplicity sake I guess the letter would make things easier in the long run.
Trinity
If all else fails this approach might work. Ask them what their policy is on person's with HIV? Have wittinesses. It's a near 100% sure bet, after the hesitation, and stammering, they'll start looking for a way out. Request something in writing. Tell them HCV is less contagious than HIV.
http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hepatitis/hepatitis.asp
if you cut and paste this into your browere you will go to HCV Advocate. Scroll down to resources and you will see some brochures you can order for free. Look at the ones, "Understanding HCV - a Patient Pocket Guide," " HCV Basics", " and Get Tested Palm Card."
You can order these brochures for free. Perhaps one of them would help.
Frijole
if you cut and paste this into your browere you will go to HCV Advocate. Scroll down to resources and you will see some brochures you can order for free. Look at the ones, "Understanding HCV - a Patient Pocket Guide," " HCV Basics", " and Get Tested Palm Card."
You can order these brochures for free. Perhaps one of them would help.
Frijole
I am just curious - how did the employee find out that your dad had Hep C? Did you dad tell everyone, or just his boss? I also am an employer and I would find fault with the employee who is complaining, not your dad. You did not say what kind of job your dad has, but I am curious about that too since you seemed to indicate he keeps bleach around to clean up any blood "as anyone would or should." I certainly don't have a bottle of bleach under my desk for any wayward papercuts.
I am also curious as to whether your dad is treating which may make another employee think he is not doing his job (I worked at about 60% on treatment).
When I was treating I got some wonderful brochures and put them in the waiting area of the pharmacy that I used and in some doctor's offices. They are non personal and have wonderful information in general on hepatitis and how to prevent it and whether it is contagious. I will look for my source - it was either HCV Advocates or Clinical Care Options. I will come back and post the source and you can order some. They were free.
I do not think I would get a letter from my doctor but rather distribute general information.
frijole
I am also curious as to whether your dad is treating which may make another employee think he is not doing his job (I worked at about 60% on treatment).
When I was treating I got some wonderful brochures and put them in the waiting area of the pharmacy that I used and in some doctor's offices. They are non personal and have wonderful information in general on hepatitis and how to prevent it and whether it is contagious. I will look for my source - it was either HCV Advocates or Clinical Care Options. I will come back and post the source and you can order some. They were free.
I do not think I would get a letter from my doctor but rather distribute general information.
frijole
Hey - believe me - I understand your frustration and it really isn't fair. I have life long friends who will no longer share a dessert with me. It is just ignorance and I was guilty of it too before I contracted HCV. I agree with you but also feel that I am now in the unfortunate position of having something akin to leprosy and therefore have to deal with the fallout. I don't tell !!
Out of curiosity, how did it get around the office that your dad was positive?
Out of curiosity, how did it get around the office that your dad was positive?
I see all points being made here, dont get me wrong. My issue is that he has been functioning at his job for over a year since he told them and even with this person, why now? Seems fishy to me. Would it then be fair for all of the employees to have to go have physicals and have a doctor sign that they are not a risk to others? My gosh, this man hugs me, kisses me, holds my kids, am i really a minority of basically "less than ignorant" people? Even the cdc website says an infected person should not be excluded from work, childcare, school, and play (etc).
I agree with RGlass and Charlie. As an employer myself, I know the intricacies of having to balance all sorts of personalities and phobias. I see this more as an appeasement to the office worker than as a slight towards your dad.
Personally, in the same situation I would be happy to present a letter rather than have a coworker be afraid of me. Unfortunately we have a disease with stigma and fear attached so it is incumbent on us - unfairly - to educate and put others at ease - if a situation arises.
Personally, in the same situation I would be happy to present a letter rather than have a coworker be afraid of me. Unfortunately we have a disease with stigma and fear attached so it is incumbent on us - unfairly - to educate and put others at ease - if a situation arises.
The situation is that the employer is somewhat caught in the middle, and really through no fault of their own. One employee, your father, does not consider that others are at risk. Another, though a bit ill informed, does consider it a risk. To resolve the matter without having to take any real action, the employer is asking for a confirmation letter from the doc. Problem solved without a great deal of trouble. Of course, your father could complain of being at risk of catching some airborn infectious disease every time the complainer sneezes Could it be TB?. I'd consider that to be ill advised as a mode of retaliation however.
I have gathered a lot of information from the CDC and EEOC so far for him. If this truly were out of concern for his other employees he would have done it at the time he found out, not a year later, when some office personel that does not particularly care for my dad all of the sudden had an issue.....at least that is my thought. It is so hard to believe we still have people this ignorant among us. So my Dad has Hep C, he does not deserve a job???? He is not a risk any more than anyone else, first of all how many people working there have something and just havent tested positive yet? Or have and just kept it secret? Any of us could have something, that is why you see gloves and such in first aid kits. I just dont get it. Now he has worked there for years and might be out of a job because of his illness?
His employer has a responsibility to his other employees. You must understand his employer is probably ignorant concerning HCV. More than likely, he is trying to cover his asss not come against your dad.
Mind you, he informed them in 2009, now they want a letter? He has been performing his job already, this is just to appease (sp) a busy body. Im sorry this has all come as a bit of a shock to me as it all happened today and my dad is so stressed on top of other issues that are going on now..........it's just piling up.
It is just odd to me that they are doing this only after an office member said she thinks he is a risk. This person should have been told it was none of her business what his medical issues were. Unless they are "swapping" body fluids she need not worry. I feel his privacy has been invaded and he has been embarrassed. He has been given a deadline to have this information turned in as well.
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