Is it legal if my boss asks me a lot of personal questions?

Get Legal Help Today

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

Is it legal if my boss asks me a lot of personal questions?

The day before I had surgery to have a cancerous breast tumor removed my boss said, “You don’t have to answer this if you’re not comfortable but are you having your entire breast removed�. I believed he asked because the answer to that question would largely determine if my doctor would recommend radiation or chemotherapy. This would then determine how much time I would need off. Fortunately, it ended up that I didn’t need either of the treatments and all my surgeries have gone well. I am just wondering because my boss seems to step over the line quite a bit.

Asked on November 11, 2018 under Employment Labor Law, Ohio

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 5 years ago | Contributor

Asking a sexual question--as in some contexts, a question about a breast could be--would be illegal as sexual harassment or discrimination.
A non-sexual question which relates to a business purpose--such as for planning purposes, so he can anticipate how to cover your work while out, and how long he would need coverage for--is legal, though admittedly he could probably have been more delicate in how he approached it.


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

Get Legal Help Today

Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption