Can Employers Contact Your Doctor Directly?

In almost all cases, no.

Medical confidentiality laws prevent employers from:

● Discussing your health without consent

● Accessing medical records

●  Requesting diagnosis details 

This applies equally to physical and mental health.

What Can Employers Check?

Employers may:

● Verify the note appears genuine

● Check clinician registration

● Confirm dates and wording

They may not:

● Ask why you are ill

● Seek medical opinions

● Pressure clinicians for information

Does This Apply to Online Sick Notes?

Yes. Exactly the same rules apply.

Digital notes are protected by the same confidentiality standards as GP-issued notes.

What If an Employer Tries Anyway?

If an employer attempts contact without consent:

● You can refuse

● You can raise a grievance

● They may be breaching data protection and confidentiality rules

Key Takeaways

● Employers cannot freely contact doctors

● Consent is required

●  Diagnosis details are private

●   Online and GP notes are treated the same