At work When asking a co-worker, it’s helpful to provide a reason for your question. Make clear that you’re not passing judgment but simply trying to learn and problem-solve, says Douglas Stone, co-author of “Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most." You won’t violate privacy regulations under HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, by asking about a co-worker’s vaccination status since you’re not their healthcare provider or insurer, and you’re asking about, not disclosing, health information, says Robert Gatter, a law professor at St.
Louis University School of Law and Center for Health Law Studies. Even if asking is legal, it’s still awkward, he notes. Deborah Tannen, linguistics professor at