Workplace Consultation Services
Fitness for Duty Examination
Sometimes companies have employees whose performance changes after many months or years of service. When they no longer seem able to perform their jobs acceptably, a psychiatric fitness-for-duty exam (FFD) may be requested.
Reasons for asking for a psychiatric fitness exam may include: evaluating the readiness to work after disability or another medical leave of absence, assessing the risk of danger to themselves or their coworkers, deterioration of performance and inappropriate behavior.
Heidel and Associates will evaluate written documentation from the workplace and examine the employee to determine if he or she is fit to return to their job.
The Case Study:
An employee had been on a disability leave for six months for treatment of a mental disorder. Her primary care physician sent a note to the workplace saying she was ready to return to work. The employee on disability then began calling her supervisor and several coworkers, all of whom were concerned by the tone and content of her calls.
After gathering information from the coworkers who had spoken with the employee on leave, Human Resources called Heidel and Associates to request a psychiatric fitness-for-duty examination.
The Questions:
- Is the employee capable of performing her job in a safe manner?
- Does she need more treatment before she is re-evaluated?
- Are there job accommodations that would allow her to perform the essential functions of her job?
How Heidel and Associates Worked Toward Solutions:
Heidel and Associates evaluated the documentation and examined the employee to complete the FFD.