Yearly Physical Requirements.....For Women Only

[noodlesox]

My county requires yearly physicals for all personnel. This year, for the first time, they are requiring that female personnel submit a report from their gynecologist. I am uncomfortable with this and feel that it is: 1) an invasion of my privacy 2) has nothing to do with my job. I have verbally argued this both with the doctor's office that does the physicals and my company officer. Basically, I have been told that if they dont have it by the end of the year then I wont be able to respond on fire or EMS calls.

I also asked the doctor's office what the criteria would be based on this report to prevent me from responding on calls and she could not answer the question....adding to the fact that I believe that this is an invalid request.

There has been other incidents in this program of illegal actions (testing everyone for HIV without written consent) and breaches of confidentiality.

This is primarily a volunteer county with volunteer administration and (in my opinion) a substandard doctor that does the physicals.

I am wondering if anyone has any information or a referral so that I can back up my position.....or maybe I am overreacting if you all think that this is ok.

Any feedback would be teriffic. Thanks

[NCRSQ751]

I have a hard time believing they could get away with this if you challenged it legally. And I doubt you'd have a hard time getting a civil rights lawyer to take it - although I despise litigation.

Check with your local OSHA office. I know that we have our annual physicals that we are told meet an OSHA standard for firefighting. They do not include gynocological exams.

It sounds like me they have crossed the line. HIV testing without consent is in no way legal on a random or scheduled basis. It can only be done under very specific circumstances after an exposure.

It seems you have some minnows that want to act like big fish - and want to see what they can get away with.

[skeester1]

This reminds me of my first physical(1987) that was required by my administration, pre hire. #1, I was devestated that a "walk in" clinic was conducting the physical and secondly I was really amazed that this general physician was going to perform my gyno exam. I refused it the first time but was sent back with the denial that my own gyno could perform the examination. Needless to say I was upset, but I also wanted the job. Since then I have had the time and patience to change the way the "good ole boys" think. Come to find out, the guys weren't to hip on their prostate exams being conducted by some doctor with a general physicans knowledge, whom they did not know.
we now have the option of having a complete phycal through a network of doctors during our birthday month. This includes blood work, stress test(treadmill), chest xray, mammogram/gyno/prostate exam and a personal consultation with a doctor who reviews all of the test results. I consider this to be a wonderful benefit...but it's MY choice. As for the HIV testing, you would probably have any lawyer bitting at the bit for that one. How long has the chief been in his or her position? I hope this was helpful in some way. Hang tuff sister.

Lt. Diane Chrzanowski
Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue
Bradenton, Fl

[BFDff630]

I have been the only female on my Dept. for about so far they haven't required any physicals from any of us so far.But if I even try to talk about stuff like that with and officer regarding my health I am quickly hushed .they just don't want to talk about it. :( But just hang in there.

[MOMO431]

I AM IN A VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT ALSO, WE HAVE YEARLY PHYSICALS, BUT THEY DO NOT MAKE US GO TO A GYNO...PERSONALLY THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH PERFORMANCE AS A FIRE FIGHTER. DO THEY MAKE THE GUYS DROP THEIR PANTS AND COUGH?? IF NOT I WOULD THINK ABOUT DISCRIMINATION. BESIDES IT IS NONE OF ANYONE BUSINESS UNLESS YOU WANT IT TO BE SOMEONE'S BUSINESS..KEEP MY POSTED ON HOW THINGS GO..
:( :D ;)

[JoeMZ191]

Has your County or State adopted NFPA 1582? If so, there are a few conditions specefic to female firefighters that would render you a category A (questionable) or category B (medically unfit) for duty.
If you look at this from a manegerial point of view, annual physical could identify a problem before it causes injury or long term disability to the employee. Ergo, no workmans comp payments from the employer.
Also, "most" women (and men) I know would not receive any preventive physical exams if it weren't required. Although it may be uncomfortable, the AMA even reccomneds annual gyno visits for women over 20. How can you argue with your employer looking out for your well being. Although I do NOT know what it's like to go through one of those exams, ask your male counterparts how they liked their last prostate check. Not fun either.

Feel free to e-mail if you want some NFPA 1582 specifics. I'll research it Thursday when I go back in.

Joe