Annual health status required by employer

[Jeana]

I have not posted in a while, because I have been vacationing so much this summer--one of the benefits of being a teacher. But I have an issue with my employer. Every 3 years, we are required to submit a physical. You may recall that last August I submitted one on which my CF doctor handwrote in next to be the box that said I am free from communicable disease and able to physically perform my duties, that "She has chronic pulmonary infection that may be transmitted to others with cystic fibrosis."

Now, my district has requested an annual update on the status of the chronic pulmonary infection until such infection is gone. LOL. Like it ever will be.

Anyway, here is the letter I composed for my doctor to send in the hopes that I will be able to continue working as a teacher. Please tell me if you think that I should make any changes.

To whom it may concern,

Jeana has been under my care since August 2001 for her Cystic Fibrosis. Presently, her Cystic Fibrosis is stable and she should be able to perform her proposed duties as a teacher. It is not advisable for any person with Cystic Fibrosis to come into constant contact with other persons having Cystic Fibrosis, due to chronic pulmonary infection of individuals with Cystic Fibrosis. In other words, Jeana should not have students placed in her classroom that have Cystic Fibrosis. Jeana reminds the school nurse of this each year as a precaution, and since there are two other math teachers within Middle School, this should not present a problem for Jeana. I am the only Cystic Fibrosis specialist in the state of Alaska, and to my knowledge there are no students or staff with Cystic Fibrosis that will be attending Middle School during the 2010-2011 school year. So again, Jeana should be able to perform her duties as a teacher without harm to herself or others.

 

[Jeana]

I have not posted in a while, because I have been vacationing so much this summer--one of the benefits of being a teacher. But I have an issue with my employer. Every 3 years, we are required to submit a physical. You may recall that last August I submitted one on which my CF doctor handwrote in next to be the box that said I am free from communicable disease and able to physically perform my duties, that "She has chronic pulmonary infection that may be transmitted to others with cystic fibrosis."

Now, my district has requested an annual update on the status of the chronic pulmonary infection until such infection is gone. LOL. Like it ever will be.

Anyway, here is the letter I composed for my doctor to send in the hopes that I will be able to continue working as a teacher. Please tell me if you think that I should make any changes.

To whom it may concern,

Jeana has been under my care since August 2001 for her Cystic Fibrosis. Presently, her Cystic Fibrosis is stable and she should be able to perform her proposed duties as a teacher. It is not advisable for any person with Cystic Fibrosis to come into constant contact with other persons having Cystic Fibrosis, due to chronic pulmonary infection of individuals with Cystic Fibrosis. In other words, Jeana should not have students placed in her classroom that have Cystic Fibrosis. Jeana reminds the school nurse of this each year as a precaution, and since there are two other math teachers within Middle School, this should not present a problem for Jeana. I am the only Cystic Fibrosis specialist in the state of Alaska, and to my knowledge there are no students or staff with Cystic Fibrosis that will be attending Middle School during the 2010-2011 school year. So again, Jeana should be able to perform her duties as a teacher without harm to herself or others.

 

[Jeana]

I have not posted in a while, because I have been vacationing so much this summer--one of the benefits of being a teacher. But I have an issue with my employer. Every 3 years, we are required to submit a physical. You may recall that last August I submitted one on which my CF doctor handwrote in next to be the box that said I am free from communicable disease and able to physically perform my duties, that "She has chronic pulmonary infection that may be transmitted to others with cystic fibrosis."
<br />
<br />Now, my district has requested an annual update on the status of the chronic pulmonary infection until such infection is gone. LOL. Like it ever will be.
<br />
<br />Anyway, here is the letter I composed for my doctor to send in the hopes that I will be able to continue working as a teacher. Please tell me if you think that I should make any changes.
<br />
<br />To whom it may concern,
<br />
<br />Jeana has been under my care since August 2001 for her Cystic Fibrosis. Presently, her Cystic Fibrosis is stable and she should be able to perform her proposed duties as a teacher. It is not advisable for any person with Cystic Fibrosis to come into constant contact with other persons having Cystic Fibrosis, due to chronic pulmonary infection of individuals with Cystic Fibrosis. In other words, Jeana should not have students placed in her classroom that have Cystic Fibrosis. Jeana reminds the school nurse of this each year as a precaution, and since there are two other math teachers within Middle School, this should not present a problem for Jeana. I am the only Cystic Fibrosis specialist in the state of Alaska, and to my knowledge there are no students or staff with Cystic Fibrosis that will be attending Middle School during the 2010-2011 school year. So again, Jeana should be able to perform her duties as a teacher without harm to herself or others.

 

[Jana]

Jeana,

I didn't read your post until after reading and replying to your PM. I do have one thought, so will send you another note.

 

[Jana]

Jeana,

I didn't read your post until after reading and replying to your PM. I do have one thought, so will send you another note.

 

[Jana]

Jeana,
<br />
<br />I didn't read your post until after reading and replying to your PM. I do have one thought, so will send you another note.

 

[hbollotte]

ugh, the reality. all of my students brought their supplies last night. i've never seen so much germ-x. lol. i requested that to be on my class list. although germ-x won't kill everything it might help a little.

i still haven't mentioned to my principal that i have cf. she might have heard it through the grapevine since other co-workers do know. i think i might mention it to her pretty soon. i work for a private catholic school, so i'm not sure if we will ever have to take physicals. i mean half the teachers aren't even certified. they are great teachers though.

 

[hbollotte]

ugh, the reality. all of my students brought their supplies last night. i've never seen so much germ-x. lol. i requested that to be on my class list. although germ-x won't kill everything it might help a little.

i still haven't mentioned to my principal that i have cf. she might have heard it through the grapevine since other co-workers do know. i think i might mention it to her pretty soon. i work for a private catholic school, so i'm not sure if we will ever have to take physicals. i mean half the teachers aren't even certified. they are great teachers though.

 

[hbollotte]

ugh, the reality. all of my students brought their supplies last night. i've never seen so much germ-x. lol. i requested that to be on my class list. although germ-x won't kill everything it might help a little.
<br />
<br />i still haven't mentioned to my principal that i have cf. she might have heard it through the grapevine since other co-workers do know. i think i might mention it to her pretty soon. i work for a private catholic school, so i'm not sure if we will ever have to take physicals. i mean half the teachers aren't even certified. they are great teachers though.

 

[krisgabes]

The whole scenario just sounds illegal. Doesn't this violate the Americans with Disabilities Act? It doesn't sound right to me. I'd be really angry if my employer asked me specifically for an annual physical and everyone else every 3 years? I'd ask if this is legal before having to bend to what they're asking. But that's just me, I have a bit of a short fuse when it comes to things like this.

 

[krisgabes]

The whole scenario just sounds illegal. Doesn't this violate the Americans with Disabilities Act? It doesn't sound right to me. I'd be really angry if my employer asked me specifically for an annual physical and everyone else every 3 years? I'd ask if this is legal before having to bend to what they're asking. But that's just me, I have a bit of a short fuse when it comes to things like this.

 

[krisgabes]

The whole scenario just sounds illegal. Doesn't this violate the Americans with Disabilities Act? It doesn't sound right to me. I'd be really angry if my employer asked me specifically for an annual physical and everyone else every 3 years? I'd ask if this is legal before having to bend to what they're asking. But that's just me, I have a bit of a short fuse when it comes to things like this.

 

[oatmeal28]

Jeana thanks for posting that letter. I don't have anything to add, but I thought this thread was really interesting. I was diagnosed only three months ago and up until then and currently am studying to be a teacher. I have yet to get a job b/c of the recent NYC hiring freeze, but to the fellow teachers on this post am I required to tell my employer that I have CF? If so when? I know I should in terms of the children in my class, but it's something I didn't even think about before until now including this possible physical aspect to it.

 

[oatmeal28]

Jeana thanks for posting that letter. I don't have anything to add, but I thought this thread was really interesting. I was diagnosed only three months ago and up until then and currently am studying to be a teacher. I have yet to get a job b/c of the recent NYC hiring freeze, but to the fellow teachers on this post am I required to tell my employer that I have CF? If so when? I know I should in terms of the children in my class, but it's something I didn't even think about before until now including this possible physical aspect to it.

 

[oatmeal28]

Jeana thanks for posting that letter. I don't have anything to add, but I thought this thread was really interesting. I was diagnosed only three months ago and up until then and currently am studying to be a teacher. I have yet to get a job b/c of the recent NYC hiring freeze, but to the fellow teachers on this post am I required to tell my employer that I have CF? If so when? I know I should in terms of the children in my class, but it's something I didn't even think about before until now including this possible physical aspect to it.

 

[just1more]

You do NOT have to disclose any medical information to an employer unless it impacts your ability to do the job.

Thus, unless you are going to ask for time-off for CF issues then you don't have to tell them. If after working you have to be hospitalized, then you would need to tell them to get 'protection' under ADA so they can't penalize you for missing work. But they can't hire/fire based upon a medical condition unless it directly impacts your ability to work.

FYI, the question on the form your Dr signed Jenna was specifically trying to confirm if you had TB. CF isn't even on most people's radar; but many jobs with involvement with the public (teacher, nurse, dr, therapist, etc) have a TB requirement.

 

[just1more]

You do NOT have to disclose any medical information to an employer unless it impacts your ability to do the job.

Thus, unless you are going to ask for time-off for CF issues then you don't have to tell them. If after working you have to be hospitalized, then you would need to tell them to get 'protection' under ADA so they can't penalize you for missing work. But they can't hire/fire based upon a medical condition unless it directly impacts your ability to work.

FYI, the question on the form your Dr signed Jenna was specifically trying to confirm if you had TB. CF isn't even on most people's radar; but many jobs with involvement with the public (teacher, nurse, dr, therapist, etc) have a TB requirement.

 

[just1more]

You do NOT have to disclose any medical information to an employer unless it impacts your ability to do the job.
<br />
<br />Thus, unless you are going to ask for time-off for CF issues then you don't have to tell them. If after working you have to be hospitalized, then you would need to tell them to get 'protection' under ADA so they can't penalize you for missing work. But they can't hire/fire based upon a medical condition unless it directly impacts your ability to work.
<br />
<br />FYI, the question on the form your Dr signed Jenna was specifically trying to confirm if you had TB. CF isn't even on most people's radar; but many jobs with involvement with the public (teacher, nurse, dr, therapist, etc) have a TB requirement.

 

[just1more]

Jenna, one other point. While I'm not normally one to recommend it; if you feel they are trying to stop you from teaching get your union representative involved ASAP. There is no reason you can't teach but it is always better to be proactive.

 

[just1more]

Jenna, one other point. While I'm not normally one to recommend it; if you feel they are trying to stop you from teaching get your union representative involved ASAP. There is no reason you can't teach but it is always better to be proactive.