Need advice on new employer (employee, application, job, companies)

[Looking for change-123]

Hi,

This week I am starting my new job and getting onboarded. First time working from home.

So I am getting onboarded and the HR person says to me you can use your personal computer if you prefer.
I told him thank you, but I keep my devices seperate for privacy reasons.

Is it normal that remote workers are using their own laptops? If you want to fine, but in a big brother world I don't need them seeing what I have in my bookmarks and other personal info.

Then later we are speaking and he says I need you to fill out this insurance application, ok sure, no problem. The application asks very personal details about your medical history, the top of the page says confidential not to be seen by your employer, hello if I have to send it back to HR they are by default going to see my most personal medical details.

This is a mid size company that has been in business several years so I am not sure how to take this? Honest mistake, esp about insurance invasion of privacy, or unproffesional company and signs that this will be a bad place to work?

I was thinking of sending the insurance app. back with the medical history blank and see if I can send it direct to insurance company?

Your thoughts?

[jaekn]

Typically remote employees use company provided devices. I always did. I would at least put a cover page on that insurance form with some strong wording on the front, "According to section "state section" this information is privileged and to be reviewed only by "Entity." But in reality they may just rip off the cover page and process it.

[Looking for change-123]

Originally Posted by jaekn

But in reality they may just rip off the cover page and process it.

That's my concern. I don't know these people, and I quite aware after reading good threads here that HR works for the company and protects their interest not mine.

[jaekn]

"The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) requires employers to protect employee medical records as confidential; medical records should be stored separately and apart from other business records. Never store employee medical records in the employee’s general personnel file. Because of the confidentiality of the information, records must be isolated from files that employees such as supervisors may access."

I guess you just have to trust them to follow the law. Most people trust them with this information as well as Social Security numbers, Bank information and other personal /sensitive information. If you ever thought they were misusing your medical information, you have the right to file a lawsuit. They are supposed to keep records, so you may not be able to send it on your own since it is company-provided insurance...

[Looking for change-123]

Originally Posted by jaekn

"The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) requires employers to protect employee medical records as confidential; medical records should be stored separately and apart from other business records. Never store employee medical records in the employee’s general personnel file. Because of the confidentiality of the information, records must be isolated from files that employees such as supervisors may access."

I guess you just have to trust them to follow the law. Most people trust them with this information as well as Social Security numbers, Bank information and other personal /sensitive information. If you ever thought they were misusing your medical information, you have the right to file a lawsuit. They are supposed to keep records, so you may not be able to send it on your own since it is company-provided insurance...

Wow, I hope I can come to a solution with HR, because I have a highly stimatized medical condition that would black ball from employment should it get out.

This could cause me to quit seriously.

Thanks for the link and posts.

[RoadWarrior12]

Originally Posted by Looking for change-123

Wow, I hope I can come to a solution with HR, because I have a highly stimatized medical condition that would black ball from employment should it get out.

This could cause me to quit seriously.

Thanks for the link and posts.

Then simply check "no" on most of the stuff and send it in.

[Looking for change-123]

Originally Posted by RoadWarrior12

Then simply check "no" on most of the stuff and send it in.

Ok, that would work I guess. I could just tell the insurance company later I forgot to mark it down if they ask.

[alisharan]

I understand what you're going through. I worked from home for a catalog mail order company in which involved downloading their software which gives access to the computer remotely. If at all cost this can be avoided by using a second computer, do so. Another reason is that some companies software may not have all the kinks worked out, and do more harm than good to your computer.

As for the insurance, I would ask if you bring your own insurance, but if using their insurance ask to mail, fax ,or email it directly to the insurance company because you need to know more about the insurance company as well. You never know who you are sending your private information to as well. No matter what company you work with you want to research them and check out their Better Business Bureau reports as well.

[davebarnes]

1. Their computer, not yours.
2. Just mark N/A on the medical. Under Obamacare you cannot be denied insurance, but...
3. Check what it would cost you to have your own insurance. This is one the benefits of Obamacare. It is easy to do.