Do employees have to disclose their illnesses to co-workers? 01-10-2007

Does an employee who has AIDS or hepatitis have to disclose it to co-workers? Do co-workers get infected from others in your experience?

Rita Risser replies:

Generally, employees have the right to privacy about their medical conditions. Certain diseases that are easily communicable, such as Hepatitis A, may be subject to public health requirements. For example, if a food service worker gets Hepatitis A, the restaurant may be shut down.

The more common Hepatitis C, and HIV/AIDS, are transmitted only through blood. In most workplaces, this is not a problem. Every workplace should follow universal precautions when dealing with accidents where there is blood. Half the people who are HIV positive don't know it, so assume all blood is infected and use gloves.

In workplaces such as hospitals there are CDC regulations about employees with blood-borne diseases. You can get information here about those requirements.

Employee medical information is required to be kept confidential. Learn your responsibilities in our program, Managing within the Law II.

Information here is correct at the time it is posted. Case decisions cited here may be reversed. Please do not rely on this information without consulting an attorney first.