Getting it - Again - Hey Legal Question

[harbormaster]

As an employer; if an employee has "covid" how am I supposed to address it with customers? I mean hippa would suggest I can't tell anyone he has covid - but yet everyone that's been in contact with him should know? Exactly how does that work?

Why does being in proximity of someone with COVID make your throat feel scratchy - instantly? I don't get that.

[OlderThanDirt]

Do you notify customers when your employee gets a cold, flu, jock itch? Stop feeding the beast and treat covid like you would a cold or flu.

[Epaphroditus]

Got that app that notifies others of exposure? If your employee has the app and chooses to add info and stays to the app there is no HIPPA issue and notifications of exposures are made.

[sd_shooter]

HIPAA went out the window with covid. Everyone at my work is required to declare when they have covid - you can get terminated per employment contract if you do not. (Covid only, not the other thousands of illnesses out there)

[Beelzy]

HIPAA went out the window with covid. Everyone at my work is required to declare when they have covid - you can get terminated per employment contract if you do not. (Covid only, not the other thousands of illnesses out there)

That's sad...on so many levels.

[EM2]

Do you notify customers when your employee gets a cold, flu, jock itch? Stop feeding the beast and treat covid like you would a cold or flu.

Exactly, just do not participate in the mass sycosis.
How would you know if an employee has covid?
Why are they getting tested for covid?
Set an example, do not participate, do not discuss, do not expect them to tell you about their specific medical condition(s).
Last time I was sick I called in sick, that's it, "I am sick and will be out a few days'. Our company never asked if it was to covid, all they said was "not to return until I was symptom free for 24hrs".
That's it, easy peasy, do not participate in the hysteria.

[RickD427]

As an employer; if an employee has "covid" how am I supposed to address it with customers? I mean hippa would suggest I can't tell anyone he has covid - but yet everyone that's been in contact with him should know? Exactly how does that work?

Why does being in proximity of someone with COVID make your throat feel scratchy - instantly? I don't get that.

Where did you get the idea that the HIPAA prevents you from providing your customers with exposure information?

Diagnostic question: Is your business a medical service provider, or do you provide specified business contract services to a medical service provider as defined in the HIPAA?

If the answers are "No" and "No", then why are you concerned with the HIPAA?

Please refer to the Simplified Guide to the HIPAA published by DHS: https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/fi...ion-201303.pdf

Additionally, please refer to 2012 decision of the Ninth Circuit as to what elements must be shown to prove a HIPAA violation in U.S. v Zhou.

[Chiefnra]

Either say nothing or just say there was a possible exposure. No names.

[DentonandSasquatchShow]

As an employer; if an employee has "covid" how am I supposed to address it with customers? I mean hippa would suggest I can't tell anyone he has covid - but yet everyone that's been in contact with him should know? Exactly how does that work?

Why does being in proximity of someone with COVID make your throat feel scratchy - instantly? I don't get that.

At my work they would send a notice that says "You may have been in contact with a person who has tested positive for Covid". So you don't violate HIPPA since you don't give a name.

[RickD427]

At my work they would send a notice that says "You may have been in contact with a person who has tested positive for Covid". So you don't violate HIPPA since you don't give a name.

Probably good practice not to provide a name.

But, so long as you're not a HIPAA-covered medical service provider, or contractor, you would not be in violation of HIPAA if you did provide names.

[JCHavasu]

"HIPAA" only applies to "covered entities". Basically healthcare providers. It does not limit anyone else. That said, I agree with other posters. Stop feeding the beast.

[Palmaris]

I am under impression-HIPAA is between employer and medical provider. Nothing about between service provider and customers

[Dooligan]

As an employer; if an employee has "covid" how am I supposed to address it with customers? I mean hippa would suggest I can't tell anyone he has covid - but yet everyone that's been in contact with him should know? Exactly how does that work?

Why does being in proximity of someone with COVID make your throat feel scratchy - instantly? I don't get that.

Why is it any business of the cutomers why the employee is out? I don't like my superiors or subordinates sharing why I am out unnecessarily. And the only ones that are "need to know" would be the superiors that approve/deny.

I simply say "so-and-so is not in today, how can I help you?"