Fitness for Work Assessments
A fitness for work assessment is designed to provide employers with independent and objective advice on an employee's capacity to carry out their usual duties in a safe and healthy manner. A fitness for work assessment usually follows an injury, illness, period of sick leave, or disclosure of mental health concerns.
At WorkLife Psychology, fitness for work assessments are offered concerning psychological injuries and mental health disorders. Expertise in mental health and psychosocial risk management is applied to help employers understand employee support needs, risk mitigation strategies for further mental health impacts, and employee's ability to carry out role requirements without presenting risks to others or the employer.
Process for conducting a Fitness for Work Assessment
A fitness for work assessment can be initiated by an employer when it would be beneficial to better understand an employee's mental health concerns. The employee must voluntarily consent to participating in the assessment.
Organisational Psychologist, Heather Ikin, will discuss details of the assessment prior to confirming and scheduling an appointment. It is helpful to understand the context for the assessment, and it will need to be determined that the assessment is an appropriate intervention given the circumstances.
An appointment will then be arranged with the employee, either facilitated through the employer, or the employee can be contacted directly to determine a suitable time.
Prior to the assessment, it is helpful to obtain copies of helpful documentation, such as previous medical reports/information (with employee consent), copy of the relevant position description, other statements of work duties, requirements or expectations, and a copy of any communications to the employee regarding the request for the assessment and consent form.
Assessments are usually carried out via telehealth or can be conducted at the workplace, in agreement with you and your employee.
Following the assessment, a report will be provided outlining clear recommendations on how to support the employee.
What information will be outlined in the report?
The fitness for work assessment report is generally 4 to 5 pages and is based solely on contextual information provided by the employer and the employee's self-reported experiences in response to questions during assessment. You can expect the following sections to be included in a standard report:
Presenting issues
A summary of the employee's explanation of presenting issues will be outlined, with consideration for context provided by the employer.
Psychological assessment
Mental ill-health symptoms will be described (as self-reported by employee). An independent diagnosis will not be made, but comment will be given on the nature of symptoms and consistency with other medical information provided. Common psychology screening tools are used as part of the assessment.
Personal concerns
The employee will be asked about personal circumstances, life stressors, relationships, social supports, living arrangements, legal matters, and other factors that may impact their mental health. If the presenting issue is of a personal nature, exploration of issues will focus here.
Summary of findings
A summary will outline key findings and respond to the stated objectives of undertaking the assessment. A response will be provided to any specific questions posed by the employer, but generally focusing on work capacity and reasonable adjustments to facilitate job performance.
History of health issues
A brief outline of the employee's history of mental and physical health issues will be outlined, including past treatments and management strategies.
Mental state examination
Commentary on the employee's physical presentation and mental state will be outlined, including observations of their emotional state, speech, tone, organisation of thought, and capacity to engage with the assessment.
Work-related concerns
Work-related contributing factors will be explored, and focus will be placed here if presenting issue is a work-related psychological injury or concern. A range of stressors will be explored along with work capacity noting role requirements as described by the employer (e.g. through position description).
Recommendations
Recommendations will briefly list the next steps recommended for the employer to take as per summary of findings, focusing on return to and/or recovery at work, and management of any identified psychosocial hazards.
Assessment fees
The fee for a standard assessment starts at $1,495+GST.
Fees include: administration of basic psychology symptom screening tools (e.g. DASS-21), 90 minute assessment session with employee, preparation of report, and 30 minute debrief of assessment findings with employer contact (e.g. HR or WHS consultant, advisor or manager).
Additional assessment, reporting, debriefing or support requirements will attract additional fees.