Short Term Disability and FMLA - Employer

[Aes85 0]

Hi everyone! I hope you all are doing great! Hey, I had a question. I told my employer that I was having surgery (was not specific about what kind of surgery lol) but that I was having surgery May 21 (woohoo!!). I told them that I would most likely be out for a few weeks after surgery.

My job offers Short Term Disability and Family Medical Leave of Absence through Hartford which I applied for just now. I know I will be approved for my leave, but I was wondering, does Hartford tell my employer explicitly that it is for Gastric Bypass surgery? Will my employer eventually be told what surgery I am going in for? I am pretty open with friends, and my family knows and is very supportive, but my job on the other hand is all about image so I fear the judgmental attitudes coming my way lol.

[Wallflower7522 328]

Nope. They should only be told that your leave is approved and for what dates. None of your medical info should be disclosed.

[Aes85 0]

Thank you so much for your help! You know, that's what I was thinking as well! Granted, the company that provides the benefit (Hartford) asked me for what is it for, etc., but I would think the specifics are not disclosed to my manager or anything. if anything, maybe HR but i imagine it would stop there. what do you think?

[mi75 1,235]

According to HIPPA law, NOBODY but you can disclose specifics unless you give them permission.

[Aes85 0]

Yes, what I found out is that std/fmla company gets info from me, and all they relay to my job is approved or denied that all.