Fitness for Duty

A fitness for duty assessment is an impartial, independent evaluation of a worker's mental and physical ability to perform their role safely

A Fitness for Duty (FFD) assessment is an independent medical opinion determining a person's ability to perform the inherent requirements of their role safely. While choosing to carry out FFD assessments is at each employer's discretion, ensuring that your employees can 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. 

Whether or not an employee has obtained an injury at work, an existing injury can affect their ability to complete their work safely and efficiently. Hence, even a non-work-related injury is critical to access and understand. 

4cRisk's team of specialist occupational physicians and registrars are trained and experienced in assessing a person's ability to meet 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. 

This comprehensive understanding of an employee's fitness helps to minimise risk on the job site and wean out excessive absenteeism. Fitness for duty assessments can also be helpful in determining which responsibilities may reasonably be asked of a person and any support that may be required to help with their workplace performance.

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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 and Environmental Medicine Physician.

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What does a fitness for duty assessment entail? 

Whatever the reason for the assessment, our team of Occupational Physicians and Registrars can provide you with an independent medical opinion that considers the safety of the worker in question and 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 implementing an ongoing care plan, which will ensure that the changing needs of the worker and the workplace are met in the longer term.

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The benefits of fitness for duty assessments for an employer 

Employers must have all of the appropriate information to minimise risk and keep employees safe. Our reports provide employers with the information they need to approve an employee's ability to resume duty or provide advice on the appropriate route that should be taken for an employee. Our comprehensive assessments ensure that when an employee resumes their role and normal duties or starts a new role, they are doing so safely and effectively. Some of the other benefits of our treating practitioner's assessment for employers include:

  • Confirm if an employee has any related injury or illness
  • Determine whether said injuries will impact their ability to complete their job effectively
  • Highlight any concerns with an employee's ongoing medical treatment and whether this will bring about concerns in their intended role 
  • Identify any reasonable support that can be provided to help an employee perform their role 
  • Understand if any retraining programs are required prior to an employee sitting further fitness for duty assessments
  • Understand if performance concerns are caused by an illness or injury
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Why work with 4cRisk for your comprehensive assessments? 

Here at 4cRisk, we are medical experts (Consultant Occupational Physicians) who focus on performing quality services while also offering fast turnaround times, offering you the best of both worlds. We help organisations, insurers and government bodies to ensure their workforce is provided with unparalleled medical services and medical advice. 

We are a one-stop-shop offering:

With our comprehensive service, we can ensure your business is streamlined in every direction.

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Your Questions Answered

We’ve put together the answers to some common questions about our

Fitness for Duty

.

Who needs to undertake a Fitness for Duty assessment?
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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.

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Can I legally require an employee to undertake a Fitness for Duty assessment?
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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 of 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.
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If you’d like to find out more about how our occupational health services can help to keep your workforce safe, book an appointment or request a quote below.

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