EEOC Guidance on Obtaining and Using Employee Medical Information as Part of Evacuation Procedures
Here's the scenario - you are conducting fire drills, evacuation drills or generally engaging in emergency preparedness. You've watched the news - hurricanes, blackouts, 09/11 - you think it's time to have a plan. Here's the problem: to what extent can you request information to help identify individuals who might need assistance because of a medical condition and can you share this information with others in the workplace?
This EEOC Fact Sheet explains how an employer may go through the process of obtaining such information and using it for emergency preparedness. Generally, federal disability discrimination laws do not prevent employers from obtaining and appropriately using information necessary for a comprehensive emergency evacuation plan. The fact sheet provides guidance on what kind of inquiries can be made, who this information can be provided to and how it is to be used.