When do you notify a spouse?

HRCathy

I sent an employee to the ER this morning via ambulance. He was awake and responsive, he seems to have had a muscle spasm. As he was being wheeled out, I asked if he would like me to call his wife. He said no, she would freak out and that he would call her. My thought is that since he made the request, that I should honor it. He knows his wife better than I do. What rule of thumb do you use in emergency situations?

ACU Frank

I never ask if I should call the spouse. I always ask if I should call a beneficiary.

NeedCoffee

We have employees sign a statement that in case of emergency (and yes, we left it open at that) we have permission to call one of the 2 people EE designates as emergency contacts. I would definitely say that a EE being taken away by ambulance qualifies as an emergency.

Dutch2

I understand where you are coming from.... but; if the ee was alert and able to gave you specific instructions not to call his wife and he left for the hospital doesn't this now become the responsbility of the hospital to notify someone if they believe it is necessary?

ACU Frank

I wouldn't notify if they asked me not to... On our "Emergency Notification" form we also state that we have no obligation to notify.