Doctor's Note FAQ

This site commonly uses the terms fake doctor notes, doctor note, excused absence, doctor note template, and sick note synonymously. These are all speaking of the same thing.

Doctor excuses are an indication that you’ve seen a doctor and cannot return to work for a certain period amount of time.

Below are some common questions:

I’ve missed a lot of work — can my employer legally demand a doctors excuse?

Yes — they can. However, your note does not have to reveal any medical information about your specific illness, etc. In fact, this info is seldom on doctor excuse notes.

Can doctor excuses release medical information to my employer?

No. Doctor excuses commonly have some medical restrictions placed upon them. For example, your doctor’s excuse may say “May return to work on March 5th – No Lifting over 10 lbs”. Your exact condition, however, cannot be given from your doctor to your employer.

Can schools or workplaces ever have a secondary form that is required for the doctor to sign?

Yes. Although it won’t ask for the employee/students medical condition, it can ask for a doctor’s signature

When are doctor excuses needed in most workplaces?

Most doctor excuses are needed after missing 3 days of work, consecutively.

Can an employer ask about my medical conditions?

Contrary to popular belief, yes, they can. The rules of HIPAA have nothing to do with what an employer can ask you and what can be requested from your doctor. It only deals with what your doctor can release without your permission.

This area, however, is a gray area, and commonly depends on your company’s policies.

Can an employer confirm my arrival and departure from the doctor’s office? Can an employer verify an excuse note’s validity?

Yes, some employers can fax your doctor to confirm that you were indeed in the office at that time. Depending on the circumstances of the visit, the clinic may or may not be able to release the information of your whereabouts. Most commonly the clinics do not release the information.

An employer cannot verify the exact reason the excuse note was created. For example, they cannot ask why you were given the doctors excuse note.

Your medical information is confidential and is kept with your doctor.

Your employer can, however, attempt to submit the job description to the doctor on your note and ask if you’re able to do the things mentioned within.

They may also call the clinic to confirm that you were indeed in and out of the office on the date stated on the excuse note. It is the clinics choice on which information they choose to release.

Can my employer force me to sign a release form?

No, they cannot. This is a HIPAA violation. They can only speak to your doctor with your permission.

Can my employer speak directly to the doctor as seen on my doctor excuses?

No, they cannot. This is a HIPAA violation. They can only speak to your doctor with your permission.

Can my doctor talk to my employer?

No, only if you’ve signed a release for them to do so. This will be something you sign at the doctors office — not something that is apparent on your doctors excuses.

May an employer request that an employee provide a doctor’s excuse or other explanation when the employee has used sick leave?

Yes. An employer is entitled to know why an employee is requesting sick leave. An employee may ask an employee to provide a doctor’s excuse note.

If you have other questions, click here to see our other FAQ.