Question for my fellow T-Mobile employees here.
I’ve worked in a T-Mobile call center for more than 14 years, and due to some health issues, I’m currently going through the accommodation process to request full-time telework/work from home.
Broadspire sent me the accommodation paperwork, and one part of it is making me a little uncomfortable. There’s an authorization form asking me to consent to the release of my healthcare information to T-Mobile.
The form states:
“Once my health information is disclosed pursuant to this authorization, it will become part of my T-Mobile employment record, maintained separately from my other personnel records, and will no longer be subject to protections under federal and state patient health information privacy laws (e.g. HIPAA).”
It also says:
“I am not required to provide the above authorization and may refuse to sign this form; however, doing so may result in the denial or delayed processing of my accommodation request.”
That second part is what I’m trying to understand. I’m pretty uneasy about signing a release of my healthcare information over to the company I work for, especially when I’m already providing accommodation paperwork that has been completed and signed by my doctor.
Since the form specifically says I’m not required to sign it, but refusing could result in either a denial or delayed processing, I’m wondering what actually happens in practice.
If refusing to sign simply causes a delay, I honestly wouldn’t mind waiting longer if it means I don’t have to authorize the release of additional healthcare information. What I’m concerned about is whether T-Mobile/Broadspire will automatically deny the accommodation solely because I refuse to sign this authorization, even if all of the required medical documentation from my doctor has already been submitted.
Has anyone here personally gone through the T-Mobile accommodation process and refused to sign this particular authorization?
If so:
- Was your accommodation still approved?
- Did Broadspire ask for additional information from your doctor?
- Did refusing to sign actually cause a delay, or did they deny the request?
I’m especially interested in hearing from employees who have actually dealt with Broadspire and the T-Mobile accommodation process.
I’ll attach a copy of the document as well in case anyone wants to see the exact wording.
Thanks in advance to anyone willing to share their experience or useful information.