Can my boss tell other employees about my mental health?
Asked by: Vernie Botsford | Last update: July 20, 2025Score: 4.2/5 (2 votes)
Any of your private health information, even if it's about you being perfectly healthy and not having a disability, is still private, and your employer shouldn't be sharing it.
Can my boss tell other employees about my health?
It is indeed against the law for your employer to share any personal information including your health issues. The law requires you to keep an employee's medical information private and confidential, unless a more senior manager or HR professional needs to know about it.
Can my boss talk bad about me to other employees?
Unless the bad mouthing is based on discrimination due to your race, religion, gender, age, disability or FMLA use, it's not illegal. If it is not illegal , you have no legal means to force it to stop.
What is mental health discrimination at work?
Mental health discrimination can come in various forms such as failure to provide a reasonable accommodation, failure to provide equal opportunities, and even harassment or victimization.
Can your boss tell other employees my personal information?
There's no law against it but employees have the right to keep private facts about themselves confidential and the right to some degree of personal space. An employer that discloses private facts or lies about an employee may be held accountable in a civil action for invasion of privacy or defamation.
Workplace Mental Health - all you need to know (for now) | Tom Oxley | TEDxNorwichED
What is a violation of privacy at work?
If your employer records you without your knowledge or consent, they have violated your rights as an employee. Not only can you take legal action against them, they can also face charges of eavesdropping under California Penal Code 632.
What are two examples of unfair treatment in the workplace?
Examples of unfair labor practices in the workplace include denying benefits or promotions to specific employees, discriminating against older workers, unequal pay, and many others. Discrimination is not only morally wrong; it is also illegal. You do not have to accept unfair labor practices at your job.
How to prove mental health discrimination?
You Need Medical Documentation
Medical documentation is a fundamental component in proving disability discrimination cases. This type of documentation, typically provided by a healthcare provider, should clearly establish the nature of your disability and how it impacts major life activities.
Can I lose my job due to mental illness?
Under federal law, workers with mental health conditions may be protected against discrimination and harassment at work related to their condition, have workplace confidentiality rights, and have a legal right to reasonable accommodations that can help them perform and keep their job.
Can I sue my employer for stress and anxiety?
The key areas of the law that address these issues include: California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA): This law prohibits workplace discrimination and harassment. If an employee's stress and anxiety result from illegal harassment or discrimination, they may have grounds for a lawsuit.
Can my boss tell other employees about my write-up?
Documentation should be kept confidential: Employee performance and disciplinary documentation should be kept confidential and should only be shared with those who have a legitimate need to know, such as supervisors, HR personnel, or legal counsel. Documentation should comply with state and federal laws.
Can I sue my boss for gossiping about me?
Yes, an employer is liable for knowingly or recklessly making false and defamatory statements about an employee that cause harm. Lawyers call this "defamation of character."
Can my boss tell other employees why I called in sick?
Medical information is considered personal and confidential, and an employer must respect an employee's privacy.
Can my boss tell my coworkers I am on FMLA?
Whether an employee is on continuous or intermittent leave, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) restrict sharing information about the employee in virtually the same way and emphasize keeping medical information confidential.
Can my boss tell other employees what I make?
Yes, employers are often allowed to disclose your salary information to others.
Can I sue my employer for violating my HIPAA rights?
Can I sue my employer for a HIPAA violation? You cannot sue your employer for a HIPAA violation because – under HIPAA – employers are not subject to HIPAA in their role as an employer and there is no private right of action.
What is an example of mental health discrimination at work?
It is illegal for an employer to discriminate against you simply because you have a mental health condition. This includes firing you, rejecting you for a job or promotion, or forcing you to take leave.
Can I get fired for calling in sick for mental health?
Qualified Reasons for Taking Sick Leave:
You can use your earned sick leave when you're ill, injured, need medical care, or require time to care for a sick family member. This includes mental health-related issues as well. California law recognizes that employees need time to recover and prioritize their well-being.
What mental illness makes it hard to keep a job?
However, depending on the severity of a person's symptoms, schizophrenia may limit their ability to find and maintain gainful employment. People with severe or unmanaged symptoms may find obtaining or keeping a job difficult. Other barriers, such as discrimination, may also affect this.
Can you terminate an employee with mental health issues?
California laws on mental health and employment
The Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) protects workers from being fired due to their mental health conditions.
Is anxiety protected under ADA?
Even when your anxiety is mostly controlled by treatment and medication, it will qualify as a disability under the ADA if it is disabling when it is active. However, our trial attorneys will need to show anxiety substantially restricts your major life activity or major bodily function.
How do you prove unfairness at work?
However, certain pieces of evidence can help you build your case, including employee records, witness statements, email notifications, pay stubs, or hiring policies. If you were wrongly treated at work due to protected categories, like age or race, it may be worth it to talk with an employment lawyer.
How to tell if your boss is treating you unfairly?
- #1. Unfair Treatment. This is one of the most common signs of workplace discrimination. ...
- #2. Derogatory Comments or Jokes. ...
- #3. Exclusion. ...
- #4. Unequal Pay. ...
- #5. Denied Opportunities. ...
- #6. Change in Job Duties Without Justification. ...
- #7. Favoritism.
Can I report my boss for mistreating me?
An employee that has been subject to any type of job discrimination or mistreatment may also file an EEOC complaint. The EEOC, or Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, accepts complaints filed in person or by mail with the nearest office.
How to express unfairness at work?
Knowing how to handle unfair treatment starts with identifying discrimination and understanding the right way to begin addressing it. Document every incidence of unfair treatment, including emails, notes of conversations, or descriptions of specific incidents. Then, take your proof to the company HR department.