Disclosure is a choice people with disability make about whether to tell another person or organisation information about their disability.
There is no legal obligation for a co-worker to disclose information about their disability to you or your employer, unless it is likely to affect their:
- performance or ability to meet the inherent requirements of the job
- ability to work safely and ensure the safety of co-workers.
The inherent or essential requirements of the job are tasks that must be carried out in order to get the job done.
A co-worker may choose to discuss information about their disability with your employer if they need to request reasonable adjustments when doing the job (such as modified equipment or flexible working arrangements).
A co-worker does not need to disclose specific medical or personal information about their disability.
Your co-worker's rights in disclosing
Co-workers with disability have a right to:
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the confidential and respectful treatment of information about their disability
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access information about equity policies, practices, and strategies
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request information from the employer about the collection of personal and disability specific information and how it is used by the organisation
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choose whether to disclose disability at any point while looking for work or at work.
If a co-worker has disclosed information about a disability to you or has made a choice to disclose information about a disability to your employer, it is important that any information about their disability is treated appropriately as it may involve sensitive personal information. For example, you should not discuss the disability related information with other co-workers unless you have been given permission to do so.