Hi Rachel,

Apologies for the delayed response, our offices are closed on Friday's in the summer so you just missed us at the end of last week. First of all, congratulations on the job! I'm sorry to hear about the stress that the physical exam is causing, that is absolutely understanding.

Your question is a little tricky, so we've reached out to our cancer rights attorney's and coaches to try and get you the best information. I just wanted to make sure that you know we're working on getting you an answer as soon as possible.

When do you go in for HR processing for your new job?

Best,
Sarah, Manager of Programs, Cancer and Careers

My HR processing was this past Friday, and the physical went worse than I expected. The MD questioned every tiny detail of my history (almost as if he didn't have an MD himself--I was explaining old unrelated diagnoses that I shouldn't have had to, that I kept telling him are controlled/resolved). The upshot was (after humiliating me for almost an hour) that he wants documentation from medical and psychiatric providers (I have been treated by a psychiatrist for anxiety/depression) "in detail about each diagnosis, condition, medication, dose, reason for it, in detail" and "whether you are fit to work as a nurse".
Needless to say, that scared me.
But then on Monday when I got in touch with my doctors to get those letters, I realized I hadn't gotten the employee health doc's name or where MY doc's should send their letters. So I called back and asked for that info....to which the employee health doc responded "you don't need to know my name. It's "to whom it may concern". And you have to bring the letters in person for me to review...no fax, no mail, you have to bring them". When I asked why, "because I said so".

I have an offer letter with a confirmed start date of 9/12. This employee health doc is the only thing standing in my way, and he seems to be on a power trip....he already "examined" me, so I don't know what he needs ME to be present with the letters for? I asked for his name and supervisor and am waiting to get through to someone in HR, but I'm worried I now need a lawyer. When I tried to explain to him that collecting multiple letters from multiple doctors and then coming in with them was likely to delay my start date, he just kept saying that he had to review the contents of the letters and "make a decision." I don't know what "decision" he's insinuating he's going to make, but I'm really anxious and confused....any help/advice would be very appreciated!

Hi Rachel,

I'm so sorry to hear that, this definitely sounds concerning and you are right in thinking that something feels off here. I recommend that you contact a service who can give you direct legal advice. I've listed a number of resources below that should be helpful. And reaching out to HR to discuss this situation is important, so I'm glad to hear that you started that process. Here are some organizations to reach out to:

- National Cancer Legal Services Network: connects you with free legal services programs in your area, http://www.nclsn.org/
-Patient Advocate Foundation: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/resources/patient-advocate-foundation
- The Job Accommodation Network: https://askjan.org/
- More legal resources: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/resources/categories/legal

And here is some information on the American with Disabilities Act and medical exams that should also be helpful, I recommend that you read through each article:

- https://www.azdisabilitylaw.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/E6-ADA-and-Medical-Exams.pdf
- https://www.eeoc.gov/laws/types/cancer.cfm
- http://www.americanbar.org/newsletter/publications/gp_solo_magazine_home/gp_solo_magazine_index/w96cohn.html

Please let us know if you have additional questions or concerns. I hope that these resources help.

Best of luck,
Sarah, Manager of Programs, Cancer and Careers