Occupational health assessments are quick, easy, and convenient – but you may be wondering what to expect for your upcoming appointment.
If you are not familiar with the process, it might feel daunting in the beginning. however, the process is helpful and supportive for both the employer and the employee.
This is an assessment of the employee’s health about their job. Mostly, the employee gets assessed by a nurse, doctor or physiotherapist.
In this blog, we’ll unpack what is involved in an occupational health assessment, how long it takes, and why it is an important step in your employment journey.
What Is an Occupational Health Assessment?
An occupational health assessment is a review of your health about your current or future job. Typically, this will be performed by a medical professional like a nurse, physiotherapist, specialist or doctor with experience in occupational health.
What to Expect at Your Appointment
Your occupational health professional will talk with you about all the different factors that are relevant to you in your role.
This will give them an understanding of your current health status. Moreover, they will have a better understanding of the job role and your medical history.
With this information and additional resources sent to them by your current or potential employer, they will create an occupational health report.
This will detail any adjustments that may be needed for you to effectively perform your role, and also inform them whether you are suited to the position and its requirements.
How Long Does an Occupational Health Assessment Take?
These assessments are thorough and detailed and therefore can take up to an hour to effectively perform. Reports will be sent to your employer a few days after your appointment, but each case will vary.
Occupational health clinics are often housed in healthcare facilities or practices, so they are easy to locate and access.
How Is It Used?
An occupational health assessment is an addition to the fitness certificate provided by your doctor. Moreover, it mostly focuses on:
- How the job is affecting someone’s health
- How someone is doing their job
The employer has to take into consideration both, the doctor’s report along with the health assessment done there. They have to decide after considering both.
Moreover, if there is any conflict between both pieces of advice, the employer will have to discuss it with the employee. Together they have to decide a course of action.
The employer and workers can then decide how to go around the matter support them, and help them get back to work whenever possible. They have to agree on certain matters like:
- Some more time off work
- A referral for a course of therapy like counseling and physiotherapy
- Making some adjustments in their workspace, like getting an ergonomic chair
- Phased return to work like lighter duties or reduced work hours
After considering the health issue, the progress of the worker has to be assessed in front of the firm to decide when can they return to work or resume full duty.
It depends on the employer whether they will recommend an occupational health assessment. Moreover, it is the need of the organization that influences the decision.
However, they also have certain legal obligations to their worker. Also, there are certain aspects that the organization has to consider.
Making Reasonable Adjustments
Occupational health reports often need adjustments. The law states, that the employer should make reasonable adjustments when they know someone is disabled.
There is no need to make unreasonable adjustments. However, they can find other ways to support their employees. They can make other reasonable adjustments when needed.
Keeping the Information Confidential
The employer has to keep all the information they have about their employee confidential. They should only provide the information available to those who genuinely need to access it. This can include the HR team or worker’s line manager.
The worker should be informed by their organization how they are storing and using their data and health report.
Moreover, the employer has to let the worker know how they can withdraw consent to the report, if they do not want to anymore.
Raising Occupational Health Problems
If a worker is facing issues about occupational health, they should take the matter to their employer. For instance:
- An employee can take the matter to their employer if they are not happy with how occupation health has been used.
- If reasonable adjustments have not been made, they can discuss the matter with their employer.
- If they are not happy with how their employer used their confidential information, or it is handled, they can raise the issue.
Considering Social Context is Important
When an employee visits a general physician, they only address issues for medical reasons and not social reasons. However, this does not mean that you are finding an easy way to attend work.
Other things have to be considered as well. for instance, if there is an unwell relative back at home, the employee might be facing issues or there could be matters related to finance.
Also, a general physician will not sign an unfair certificate in these conditions. This is where an occupational health report comes in and considers other factors as well. They will look into everything attentively and decide on a course of action.
Why are Occupational Health Assessments Important?
Pre-employment services can help to highlight any necessary alterations or adjustments needed for you to safely and successfully perform your future role.
The tests and measures taken will help to determine how suited you are to your prospective position, keeping you and the company secure. They are preventative and can be invaluable in enhancing your safety and wellness at work.
Your employer will better understand how to support you and manage your role in their company more efficiently. This results in a more positive experience for both you and your team.
If you want to understand the importance of occupational health assessments better, you are free to ask your healthcare professional any questions you may have.
Booking in for your occupational health assessment is quick and simple – with a host of positive outcomes waiting for both you and your employer.
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