• What is meant by "fit to work"?
• How is the assessment done?
• Why would this assessment be done?
• Can my employer really ask for this kind of information?
• How will I know if the employer requires an assessment?

What is meant by "fit to work"?

"Fit to work" or "fitness to work" is a medical assessment done when an employer wishes to be sure an employee can safely do a specific job or task. The purpose is to determine if medically the employee can perform the job or task under the working conditions. Fit to work assessments are most often done to determine medical fitness after an illness or injury, but are sometimes done after employment has been offered, as requested by the employer, or as a condition of a job transfer.

How is the assessment done?

Typically, the employee will visit a medical professional who will determine if the person is able to do that particular job. They may consider physical or mental capacities, sensory acuity, level of skill, etc. The medical professional will typically only report one of three conditions back to the employer:

• fit,
• unfit, or
• fit subject to work modifications.

Why would this assessment be done?

A fit to work assessment may be done for the following reasons (but are not limited to):

• there has been a significant change in the working conditions,
• the job at work has been modified and the returning worker is still going for physiotherapy, rehabilitation, or both,
• there has been a change in an employee's health (e.g., returning to work after recovery from a serious illness or injury),
• a medical condition may limit, reduce or prevent the person from performing a new or current job effectively (e.g., musculoskeletal conditions that limit mobility),
• a medical condition is likely to make it unsafe to do the job (e.g., a person may unpredictably become unconscious in a hazardous situation),
• a medical condition is likely to make it unsafe both for him/her self, co-workers or the public (e.g., driving is essential to the job but the person is subject to unpredictable and sudden unconsciousness, or a food product inspection by an inspector with deficient colour vision), or
• the medical condition may be made worse by the job (e.g., excessive physical exertion by an employee with a heart or lung disorder).

From: Workplace Health and Public Safety Programme, Health Canada. 2003

Can my employer really ask for this kind of information?

It is not appropriate for the employer to ask for specific medical findings and diagnoses from the health professional. The employer can request a fit to work assessment for appropriate reasons as long as protocols and regulations such as the Human Rights Code are followed (e.g., the assessment is not used to rule out employment due to a disability). As mentioned, the employer typically only receives one of three conditions from the health professional: fit, unfit, or fit subject to work modifications. The last two conditions may be reported as temporary or permanent.

However, it is the employer's duty to accommodate. This means that an employers has a responsibility to ensure that all reasonable attempts have been made to modify the job, the job requirements, or the working conditions so that employment can continue in a way that is safe for the employee and coworkers.

How will I know if the employer requires an assessment?

Assessments are usually requested by the employer but they may be voluntary by the employee. When requested by an employer, it may be company policy or government regulations that requires the examination.

Typically, the employer will inform the employee in writing and give the reasons why the assessment is requested. If an occupational medical specialist is not on staff, the company should give the outside professional details about the job, the job requirements, and the working conditions so that the fit to work evaluation can be made accurately.

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Document last updated on September 19, 2006

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