Can my employer require my manager to approve all doctor calls about my family member’s medical emergencies at work?

Employment

Richard

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Based on your situation, there are several legal arguments and employment laws in the United States that could potentially support your case:

Workplace Harassment. Under federal law, harassment is considered unlawful when it creates a hostile work environment or when enduring the offensive conduct becomes a condition of continued employment. If the behavior of your custodian team lead is severe or pervasive enough to create a work environment that a reasonable person would consider intimidating, hostile, or abusive, it may be considered harassment.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). This federal law allows eligible employees to take unpaid, job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons. While it primarily covers leave for personal or family illness, it underscores the importance of accommodating employees’ family medical needs. (29 U.S.C. § 2612)
Reasonable Accommodation. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities or those who need to assist family members with disabilities, unless doing so would cause undue hardship to the employer. (42 U.S.C. § 12112)

Let me know if you have any questions or clarifications.

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I work at a school district as a custodian. I have a sister who has end-stage renal failure. Sometimes after her dialysis sessions, she has seizures. There are times when she has to go to a medical center in Texas, which is a three-hour drive. Since I do not drive there, I have my other sister drive us to the medical center in Texas. When she takes us there, I have to ride in the back seat with my sister in case she has a seizure en route to the medical center.

There have been about three or four times since August of 2025 that I have had to talk to my sister’s doctors at the medical center while I was at work. I got called into my manager’s office because the custodian team lead wrote me up, saying that I stay on the phone all day. That is not true. If that were the case, I would not be able to get my cleaning done. I have my other sister call me only if there is a medical emergency.

Today, I was told by my manager that, from now on, if the doctor wants to talk to me, the doctor will have to call him (the manager) first and let him know that he needs to talk to me about my sister’s health issues. Is this legal?

I feel that this is harassment by the custodian team lead. The custodian team lead bullies me about things: from the way I wear my hair, to what I do after work hours, to why my other sister looks like she can be “white.”

Lexi, Chatbot

I am really sorry to hear about the challenges you are facing with your sister’s health and the situation at work. Have you had any previous discussions with your manager or HR about the treatment you are receiving from your team lead?

Yes. I have talked to the supervisor and the manager, but they tell me there is nothing they can do about this. They have to do what the custodian team lead says.

Lexi, Chatbot

Have you documented any instances of bullying or harassment from your team lead, including dates and specific behaviors?

I have documented things she has done and said to me.

Lexi, Chatbot

Is there anything else the employment lawyer should know before I connect you? Rest assured, they will be able to help with your workplace harassment.

No.

Richard

Hello. My name is Richard and I have been a licensed attorney for over 25 years and hope to be of assistance. Please be advised that this website is for information purposes only and I cannot formally represent customers of this website or perform actual legal services on your behalf. I understand you're dealing with a situation involving workplace harassment and your manager's request regarding communication with your sister's doctor. Could you tell me more about any steps you've considered taking regarding this situation?

Have you checked if there are any workplace policies or employee handbooks that address communication during work hours or harassment? This might help us understand your rights and options better.

Richard

Based on your situation, there are several legal arguments and employment laws in the United States that could potentially support your case:

Workplace Harassment. Under federal law, harassment is considered unlawful when it creates a hostile work environment or when enduring the offensive conduct becomes a condition of continued employment. If the behavior of your custodian team lead is severe or pervasive enough to create a work environment that a reasonable person would consider intimidating, hostile, or abusive, it may be considered harassment.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). This federal law allows eligible employees to take unpaid, job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons. While it primarily covers leave for personal or family illness, it underscores the importance of accommodating employees’ family medical needs. (29 U.S.C. § 2612)
Reasonable Accommodation. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities or those who need to assist family members with disabilities, unless doing so would cause undue hardship to the employer. (42 U.S.C. § 12112)

Let me know if you have any questions or clarifications.

Richard

76,546 satisfied customers

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