My opinion on that...... Honesty is the best practice at work. If they decide to drug test everyone and you come back pos. for opiods, they, might fired you. On the other hand if you are honest and take them a letter from your Doctor telling them that you are under medical treatment and that you are taking "such and such" medications they will have it all clear that you are under medical care. Why lie?

I agree with Tipper! It's not like you're sitting at home on crack or something... You are under the care of a doctor for a valid medical condition. A large majority of jobs cannot fire you for being on pain killers. You have nothing to worry about, especially if you have a doctor backing you.

One word of advice though... If your finger is only mildly injured, sometimes it's better to eat the cost because once you file a work comp case, a lot of employers treat you differently. If you are not looking at huge medical bills, time lost at work, and extensive rehab, you might want to save a work comp case for something bigger... I work for a doctor and this is the advice he gives patients because we've seen a lot of patients get looked down upon after filing a case, some have even been with the employer for 20 years. If it's only going to be a doc visit and an x-ray, you might want to think very carefully about filing a case. Just my thoughts! I hope your finger heals quickly!!!

Much love and understanding,
Lisa

I'm dealing with this issue at present. Luckily my direct supervisor is also on pain meds and takes them at work. However it can cost you - I'm told - if behaviour steps over the line. Yes, honesty is the best policy - but people are people who talk, chat and can be destructive if you are on a "career ladder."

Luckily, I have a govenment job and it takes a great deal to get demoted or fired because of legally prescribed pain meds.

I think depending on your immediate situation you might have to be a bit dishonest. For instance, a work associate suffered from a minor fender bender and she was in a neck brace and on pain meds. Right or wrong - she continues to wear the brace and has never been bothered about any meds she's on - although she no longer truly needs the brace - it's become her prop. She does need the pain meds - but, like you, remains hesitant to share this info.

Wishing you the best in your situation!!!

This is only light humour and its me laughing at myself.I am the only person at my Doctors surgery with my condition and on a monthly drug so funny they upped my dose and I went hyper and had to go off to work didnt realize I was so bad and working in a customers house with electricians.I so couldnt stop laughing they kept going what are you on Drugs I kept saying and would roll around laughing couldnt stop.I was lucky on that occasion it was the customers birthday and she had a few for her birthday lunch so she didnt notice.I am so glad I was not working say in a libruary.Drugs nightmare :)

I would let them know.
If something happens and management doesn't know, insurance company's will not pay out.
It might be helpful if you went through a physical medical test.

I can't get my doctor to give me enough pain meds to take for work so I'm not much help. However, I agree with tipper and Lisaneeds, if you ahve a script you should be good to go. Just be honest with them up front should be fine. You don't work at an addiction recovery place do you? I did 6 years ago (prior to my CP) and they said as part of my new hire paperwork, they drug test and regardless of having an Rx you cannot take opiods while working there. Even after a surgery. I didn't have to take pain meds back then but looking back at it I would've had a huge issue with that. Especially after a surgery? Geesh! : )

if you work some place where you operate heavy machinery or a gun range where you could be a direct liability to customers or co workers then yes you should bring a note from your dr. but if not then i say it is none of thier bussiness and if need be in the future you can always have your letter from your dr. if needed. You are following dr. guidelines and orders so you don't have to inform your work. read your employee hand book and see if there is anything noted on this subject and if not then there is your answer. good luck and i hope everything works out well for you

As stated in a previous post here, I am, also, betwixt re: employer info/privacy issues. Almost every state that is a "right to work" state can terminate employment for any reason what-so-ever. Unless you are working under a union contract, check your state laws and perhaps interview attorneys (many will advise for a minimum fee) who specialize in employer/employee laws. Half the states have the anti-union legislation on the books. You are correct to consider ramifications above and beyond your health. If you're terminated for drug use - prescibed or not - it could follow you. Keep up the good fight, we are behind you!!!