Invasion of privacy ?

My mate started a new job six months ago.Now that he has completed his probationary period he has to see a occupational therapist and fill out an extended health questionnaire plus give them full access to his medical files.
His job is just working in an office as an administrator so no real risk.
He feels strongly against giving them carte blanche access to his files as he feels its between him and his doctor and doesn't take time off work so why the prying?
I think I agree with him,has anybody else come across this and do you think it's wrong.
It must be legal but is there any way round it?
And he has nowt to hide but thats not the point

What business is it of the company to find out whats on your medical records?? If they are that worried, let them pay for a medical to be done at their expense. If they are worried about mental issues
1. thats absolutely none of their business and
2. surely a letter from your GP saying that , iho, the patient is fully capable , should suffice??

Mmm, i would think they want access to his medical files to see if he has anything that he may try to claim on after they give him employment, i doubt he would be offered the job if he dosent comply ,
He could try the human rights and against my religion ploy,

They have no right unless it is needed for the job. If say a machinist then it could be dangerous. They could then request a medical which ticks boxes but they have no right to records, if refused job for that reason he could take legal action.

it does not seem right but will he lose the job if he refuses? I would have thought that there would be someplace that he could check with as regards if it is legal. Data protection and all that

Nobody asked Mary about his transexual tendencies and he turned out all right...sort of...

Sort of , Ish

When the working time directive came in a few years back, there was a clause in it that you must offer night workers free health checks, as we had night workers the company set up a deal with a private medical company to carry out said checks, company involved sent a rep who gave presentations to all staff regarding the checks, please recall as I said these checks were optional, the guy given the presentation was very open and honest, he explained what the checks involved, one part of the check was a request to have access to your medical records, he advised everyone to decline this request...