Verified answer

FMLA has to be for a serious or life threatening illness not common ailments, a Dr.s note is advice not job protection, the employer does not have to accept it , it ain't high school anymore

1

Doctors Excuses

HIPAA stops your doctor from giving out the information without your permission. No law stops your employer from firing you for not providing the information they want. If you don't provide the information, they can fire you. The only way you could stop it is if you convince a court that this is a pretense for a discriminatory action. People with vertigo are not a protected class, and firing you is not discriminatory. You can give your physician permission to release records regarding your care for vertigo. That won't include everything in your record (but expect your doctor to charge you for doing this). Or, you can nicely ask HR what concerns they have that your physician could directly address. Maybe they want to know if this is likely to happen again. (It isn't illegal to fire you if they think it will.) Maybe they want to know if you are safe to do your job.

Dr Excuse

A doctor's note is just proof of illness/injury. Employers do not have to honor them. They are not a get out of work pass. So yes it is legal that the absence is not excused.

Sure. usually after you are out for sickness or an accident for 3 days they want a note from a doctor before they will let you return.

Totally legal.

In 49 out of 50 states you work at will of the employer unless you have a personal contract or a union contract. If the employer wants to fire you because business is bad, he does not think you are working hard enough, if he thinks you are sick too often or he just does not like your body odor, he can fire you. If you do not like that arrangement, move to Montana.

All of the advice the other folks gave you is wrong.

The real answer is "Usually not, but it depends".

If the company is above a certain size, and you have worked there for a certain amount of time, they have to give you a certain amount of unpaid time of under the Family and Medical Leave Act (29 U.S.C. 2601).

If you are disabled, they have to make "reasonable accomadations" to allow you to continue to work under the Americans with Disabilities Act. That may include giving you time off to go to the doctor.

If you are not disabled, and either are new or work for a tiny company, they can fire you.

I think I saw 1 legit answers. get your advice from a lawyer who knows the laws in your state.