What is a Return to Work Physical?
The Basic In’s and Out’s of a Return to Work Physical
So you finally got that hurting back or ankle or shoulder or arm or head or neck (you get the idea) feeling a little bit better.
Maybe you aren't feeling 100%…
But you're definitely above 75%…
And ready to get back in the swing of things!
But you call in to work, and are surprised to hear something like:
"Yeeeeeeah we can't let you work until you take a return to work physical"
And you're thinking:
"Listen... I've been working here for years and not only know every machine or process like the back of my hand, but know exactly what is needed to get the job done. In fact, I know this job better than YOU. So why the hell are you telling ME to go take some test?!?!
If your response was anything like that, we totally understand. But a return to work physical is actually for YOUR benefit too, not just the company's. This post will explain what it is and tell you why, if you really are fine, you have nothing to worry about.
What is a Return to Work Physical?
Let's start with the basics...
A return to work physical is a fit for duty test for someone that had to leave work due to some sort of injury.
Doesn't matter where you suffered the injury; it could have happened at work or just in your personal life.
But once you believe you are healed up, you need to take some physical and mental tests to make sure that you really, truly, actually, 100% can go to work.
Might sound tedious, but it's about making sure you can be safe, keep other safe, keep equipment safe, and function at a competent level.
Who Performs a Return to Work Physical?
Not just anybody! You can't download a guide and have your friend or family do it; it has to be a professional, like a doctor or licensed physician. But it can't just be any old doctor... it has to be someone who is certified with the state.
In Guardian Health's case, we are certified for both Washington and Idaho. Click here to choose us as your businesses partner in long-term health.
Is Return to Work Fit for Duty Testing Required?
For a lot of industries, yeah. They are well-known requirements for construction, manufacturing, and the public safety (go to our firefighter page here) sectors. But there is also a fit for duty assessment for aviation, healthcare, transportation, and the military. While states have their variations, chapter 25 of OSHA's (U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration) Safety and Health Management System (SHMS) Manual details nationwide requirements.
If in doubt ask your employer; if they are on top of their "avoiding lawsuits" info, they should already know.
Will they Use My New Injury to Discriminate Against Me?
'Under the guidelines set by the EEOC, it's okay for an employer to ask employees to undergo a Return to Work Physical if it's needed for their job duties or because it's crucial for the business. But, they've got to make sure this doesn't clash with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
And if your injury left you a "disabled worker" but you CAN still perform your job duties, then your employers are required to make reasonable accommodation to help you perform your tasks. Failure for them to do so not only makes them jerks, but opens them up to disability discrimination.
How Do I Sign up for One?
That's the best part... you don't! Your supervisor, boss, or HR rep will arrange the physical on your behalf. Your job is just to show up and do your best!
Employers! If you need to arrange return to work physicals for any employees, reach out and we'll get back to you within a business day!
Please call (509) 402-2880 or email us at Erin@guardianocchealth.com now!
Who Gets the Results (Privacy) ?
Long story short: no one but you
Only you get the detailed results. Whatever private health concern... whether it be immune, hormonal, or debilitating condition... is for you and your eyes only.
However... your employer DOES find out if whether you passed or failed the test. After all, it's all about making sure you can perform the essential functions of the job. If they didn't find out if you failed, it wouldn't be very helpful duty testing!
The Return to Work "Fit for Duty Test" Process
Medical History Review
You know how there are fast cars... cars that are WAY faster than the average car driving on the road... but they aren't very fast when compared to airplanes?
Well, health is kind of the same way; we need to understand who you are and what your health has looked like in the past. Once we have that context, we can assess if you can meet the demands of a specific job and know what "HEALTH" looks like for you (its a little different for everyone).
So, to help us do that, please come prepared with your medical history and medical records! Here is the type of stuff we'll want to know:
Past serious illnesses
Types of shots and vaccines you have received
Any significant injuries you suffered in the past
What medications you take (as well as dose amounts and how long you have taken them)
A list of any conditions that run in your family
Any chronic conditions you have sort of "tolerated" for years now and gotten used to
As a rule of thumb, when it comes to sharing into for a thorough look-over, don't hold back. The more info we have, the merrier. It helps the doctors get a full picture of where you stand with your health, and where you need to be going.
Screening
Next step: looking at your blood. We'll do very simple blood tests (one or two vials) to look for traces of drugs, overdoses on prescribed medication, and excessive alcohol use.
You might be thinking: "But my drinking has nothing to do with my injury!". But since a return to work physical is a form of fit for duty exam, your employers are well within their rights to ask you to take a drug screening.
Mental Health Assessment
There might be a part of you thinking that mental health isn't important for your physically demanding job. And to a certain extent, you might be right. You just go to work, do the work with the radio on, and go home.
But mental health testing is important for a couple reasons:
the trauma of injuries can leave a worker in a fragile emotional state.
Anyone struggling with mental health and operating dangerous, heavy machinery is a potential direct threat to the workforce.
Mental abilities are important to test for any job that requires quick thinking. To the worker, they might be as sharp as ever, but after years their cognitive decline is noticable to everyone else.
For more on the importance of mental fitness, go here.
Physical Examination
This one is pretty straightforward; you have to be able to physically perform essential job functions:
if you can't lift boxes, then you can't be a warehouse worker...
If you can't hold a knife, then you can't work in the kitchen...
If you struggle to see or hear, then you can't work as a police officer...
Some jobs, like military or fire departments, the physical requirements are extreme. Others, like a driver or nurse, are minimal. But whatever physical strength and dexterity is needed to get the job done on a daily basis, that is going to be tested in the occupational health clinic.
What if I fail the tests?
Then you can't go back to work... right NOW.
Failure rarely means the end of your career. Rather it indicates that your body still needs to heal, or you need to see a specialist like an occupational therapist or mental health counselor. Failure isn't forever.
However, if you repeatedly fail the test, you may need to sit down with a couple groups:
Your work to see if there are alternative options within the company
Your lawyer if your work is failing to provide accommodations or terminated you unjustly
Your insurance to see your long term care options
Your community to explore alternative occupations
Conclusion
The health background and current condition determines if they are legally capable of doing a particular job. These return-to-work checks help create a safer place for everyone by focusing on workplace safety and ensuring that job duties fit with an individual’s medical history.
Employers! If you need to arrange return to work physicals for any employees, reach out and we'll get back to you within a business day!
