Ohio Deputy Fakes Cancer, Commits Suicide

Yeah, like most governmental regulation, this whole HIPPA crap has gone way too far. In my department I'm not even allowed to know why my subordinates are sick, what is wrong with them, or how long they might be off. Subsequently, I can't plan for anything involving manpower issues, and have no way of knowing if they are just scamming. (They have unlimited sick days as a result of a union contract). Only one person in the city government (in the human resources department) is allowed to get the doctor's statements or have any idea what is going on, and they can't tell us! That is so screwed up!

You are way off base. Maybe the employee should tell you how long the doctor estimates they will be off. As to why they are sick or what disease/condition they have, THAT is none of their employers business. Yes some people abuse sick time, but I am willing to bet employers would abuse the employee with medical information at the drop of the hat, and with far more devastating consequence. If you are suspicious, then get certification from a doctor that the employee can't work and press on. Employers already have too much power to abuse employees, and medical info should remain private.

Don it's clear you are way too nosy! What's wrong with an employee is none of your business. A doctor should provide a letter stating the employee has an illness and will need to take extended time and under the Family Medical Leave Act you WILL accomodate that. Unfortunatly command staff is ripe with union busting, anti-troop, mentalitites. With that attitude you will never garner the respect of your men, you will just always be the guy that no one respected but had to deal with because you sucked so much butt to get promoted!

Medical confidentiality is a right for all. It keeps nosy employers for being involved in a private matter. If someone chooses to disclose medical information or if it is related to an on the job injury then there are mechanisims to do that. I think the sheriff in this case is talking way too much. He obviously had at least a mental condition to say the least.

There can be a balance in the situation. FMLA is not forever. The donation of sick leave is a kind act that is going to leave a bad taste in the mouth of the donors. While you don't have to know what the sickness is, there is nothing stopping management from verifying that the employee is actually seeing the doctor. Get a doctor's excuse, call the doctor's office and ask: "Joe Jones has presented an off work excuse for from Dr. Smith. We are verifying that the excuse was written by Dr. Smith for these dates X to Z." That doesn't violate federal privacy laws. Also, cancer patients see oncologists. If the note is not from a cancer doctor that should raise a red flag. Trust, but verify. You do it on the street. If it had not been so easy for Deputy Russell to scam his employer he might still be alive. My guess is that he was about to be exposed, but he had to have mental problems if he was doing this anyway. My prayers go out to the family.

Clearly, this guy had some mental issues. Maybe Munchausen syndrome and then it all came to a boil and the news was about to brake on his fraudulent activity so he killed himself. SAD case, I hope that his family finds comfort in the hands of God.

I agree with MK.

He really WAS sick. Sick as hell - mentally. Maybe he even deluded himself into believing that it was true. That's not unheard of and very possible. Too bad he scammed his coworkers' empathy.

I hope he finds forgiveness and love in the world to come.

I'm with Don. Someone has to cover the calls and cover their partners.

In the military like copping, you fight for the guy or gal next to you.

If you are a LITTLE sick and have to call in and leave your partners alone, then maybe you need to go and sell shoes, where no one really cares.

If not then get to work!

Well i'll be!!!!!

why is his Agency conducting an "investigation" at this point. reviewing his previous time off etc. etc.? Isn't it kinda pointless now?

Unless maybe they are searching for a way to prevent this type of stuff in the future?

just struck me as odd....