How to Ask Employees About Prescription Drugs
Many companies have a policy requiring employees to report prescription drugs they are taking, but often employees forget about the policy or are too embarrassed to report the drugs. There may come a time when you need to talk to employees about safety concerns or the effects prescription drugs are having on their work performance. Whether or not you know about any prescription drugs an employee is taking, it is important to follow ethical guidelines when bringing up the subject.
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Instructions
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Talk to the employee privately, in an office or a place where co-workers will not overhear.
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Explain the changes in mood or behavior you have noticed and inquire as to whether or not this is linked to prescription drugs. Ask questions about medication only in terms of how side effects affect performance or threaten job safety. Do not ask the employee personal questions about an illness, disability or medical history. Employees have a right to privacy. Inform the employee that you will respect that right.
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Explain any pertinent company policies regarding prescription drugs. Have the employee fill out a medical report that includes emergency contact information. You might need to have the employee submit a doctor's note outlining activities that should be restricted while on the medication (such as driving or operating machinery).
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Talk to the employee about what possible and reasonable accommodations might be made to support the employee in his job, to regain his level of performance, and to ensure his safety while on the job. For example, if the employee only feels the side effects one or two hours after taking the medication, he might be able to do a less strenuous activity during that time. The time he comes in to work might be changed so the side effects happen before or after work.
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Inquire whether or not any accommodations need to be made to give the employee privacy while taking the medication. This especially goes for those who have to self-inject.
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