Human Resources

5.08 Fitness for Duty Evaluation

The purpose of a fitness for duty exam is to ensure the health and well being of all university employees in the performance of their duties.

Origination date: 10/1/1993
Revised: 1/1/2000
Applicability: Academic Professionals, Administrators, Classified Staff, Faculty, Service Professionals

Definition of Fitness for Duty Evaluation

An evaluation made by a physician, psychologist, or other evaluator to determine whether an employee is able to continue in the performance of all essential functions of his/her job with or without reasonable accommodation.

General Guidelines

Each employee is responsible for maintaining his/her health in such a way that the employee can perform the essential functions of his/her job with or without reasonable accommodation. If a supervisor has reason to question the capacity of an employee to perform duties and responsibilities, a Fitness for Duty Evaluation may be required.

To determine the appropriateness of a formal Fitness for Duty request, the supervisor must consult with either the Human Resources Department (if the employee is classified staff, an academic professional, or a service professional) or with Affirmative Action (if the employee is Faculty or an Administrator).

If assistance is needed in working through supervisor and employee relationship problems, or if there are concerns about the emotional or behavioral impact of a Fitness for Duty Evaluation requirement on an employee, or more immediate concerns about the employee’s emotional/behavioral condition, the Employee Assistance and Wellness Office may be consulted.

If the university requires a Fitness for Duty Evaluation, the employee will be required to be examined by an evaluator of the university’s choosing at a predetermined time and location. The university will pay the full cost of the examination. Failure to attend a Fitness for Duty Evaluation may lead to disciplinary action, up to, and including, termination.

Records, reports and results of such an Evaluation will be maintained confidentially and separately from the employee’s official personnel record. The report is and will remain university property.

Time required by the employee to complete the Fitness for Duty Evaluation is considered as university work time and may require an administrative leave. Time off for prescribed treatment (after the Evaluation), mandatory or otherwise, will be charged to accrued sick leave and/or compensatory time. For absences in excess of 2 weeks the employee may be required to be on a leave status.