fitnessforduty

Fitness for duty (FFD) is an occupational health term describing the state in which an employee can safely and effectively perform their job duties. FFD assessments are used to clear workers to return to work, assign restrictions, or determine if duties need modification following illness, injury, medication, fatigue, or substance use. The goal is to minimize risks to the employee and others while respecting privacy and rights.

A typical FFD process is policy-driven and led by an occupational health professional or medical advisor. It may include medical history review, relevant physical examinations, functional capacity tests, cognitive or motor assessments, vision and hearing checks, and, when appropriate, drug or alcohol screening. All decisions are documented in a fitness-for-duty certificate or clearance note.

Legal and ethical considerations are central to FFD programs. Employers must comply with privacy and discrimination laws and often require informed consent. Thresholds for clearance should reflect job-specific demands and exposure risks, and accommodations should be considered where feasible. Return-to-work procedures generally include staged tasks and supervision to ensure safety during transitions.

Implementation varies by sector. In healthcare, FFD screens for exposure to infectious diseases and fatigue; in aviation and transportation, standardized medical examinations may be mandated; in manufacturing, functional and stamina assessments are common. Some industries cite professional standards from safety bodies or regulators to guide evaluation criteria.

Critics argue that FFD programs can raise privacy concerns or cause stigma, and that costs and scheduling can be burdensome. Proponents emphasize safety, consistent criteria, and evidence-based testing. Effective programs use clear policies, regular reevaluations, and protections against misuse of health information.