Fitness for Duty
Impartial, independent evaluation of a worker’s mental and physical ability to safely perform their role
A Fitness for Duty (FFD) assessment is an independent medical opinion determining a person’s ability to safely perform the inherent requirements of their role. While choosing to carry out FFD assessments is at each employer’s discretion, ensuring that your employees are able to do their job without posing a risk of injury to themselves or others is an important part of your duty of care, whatever industry you’re in.
4cRisk’s team of specialist Occupational Physicians and Registrars are trained and experienced in the assessment of a person’s ability to perform the inherent requirements of their role. By comparing their knowledge of the working environment and the specific demands of the occupation with their medical assessment of an individual’s current mental, physical and medical capacity, they can identify any conditions that could make a person unfit for duty.
Reasons for requesting an FFD
Some of the most common reasons for an employer requesting a Fit for Duty assessment include if the worker:
- exhibits a pattern of absenteeism, poor performance or problematic behaviour
- is returning to work following an extended period of absence
- has been declared unfit by treating medical practitioners
- is applying for a high-risk or safety-critical role and has a pre-existing health condition
- cannot provide a full or clear picture of their health status
In any instance where there is evidence of the worker not being mentally, physically or medically fit to perform their role safely, or the employer has a reasonable belief that this is the case, it’s advisable to seek the impartial professional opinion of an Occupational Physician.
Fitness for Duty assessment
Whatever the reason for the assessment, our team of Occupational Physicians and Registrars can provide you with an independent medical opinion that takes into account the safety of the worker in question, as well as those around them.
In the FFD assessment, our doctors will:
- identify whether the worker has a mental, physical or medical condition that could be contributing to absenteeism, poor performance or problematic behaviour
- determine the extent to which this condition or any treatments they are receiving may be affecting their ability to safely perform the inherent duties of their role
- establish whether returning to work after a long absence or illness poses the risk of exacerbating their mental, physical or medical condition
- understand the extent to which the worker is able to recover and return to full- or part-time employment, and what reasonable accommodations, including rehabilitation or retraining programs, may be required to support them
Following the assessment, our specialist team can provide you with either a certificate or a comprehensive report detailing their diagnosis and how it relates to the worker’s role. 4cRisk can also advise you on putting an ongoing care plan in place, ensuring that the changing needs of the worker and the workplace are met in the longer term.
Your Questions Answered
We’ve put together the answers to some common questions about our
Fitness for Duty
.
Fitness for Duty (FFD) assessments are requested at the discretion of the employer based on a perceived or identified requirement. There is no regulatory requirement for workers to undertake an FFD.
Employers have a legal obligation to take reasonable measures to ensure the health and safety of their workers. Similarly, workers also have an obligation to take reasonable care for their own health and safety, and to comply with any reasonable measures requested by their employer to support this. Employers therefore have the right to direct an employee to attend a Fitness for Duty assessment.
Not found the answer you need? Contact 4cRisk and our experienced team will be happy to help
