Fitness for Duty Evaluation: Employer's Quick Guide
Everything employers need to know about Fitness for Duty — who needs it, what's included, and how to find a provider through BlueHive.
What Is Fitness for Duty?
When an employee incident raises safety questions, you need a clear, defensible fitness-for-duty determination — not weeks of back-and-forth with a local clinic. Through BlueHive, employers can connect with board-certified occupational physicians who deliver ADA-compliant FFD evaluations in days, not weeks.
A Fitness for Duty Evaluation is a medical assessment that determines whether an employee is physically and/or mentally capable of safely performing the essential functions of their job. These evaluations are typically requested when there is reasonable concern about an employee's ability to work safely.
Who Needs This Service?
- Employees returning from extended leave
- Workers involved in workplace incidents
- Employees showing performance concerns
- Safety-sensitive position workers
- HR departments managing accommodation requests
What's Included
A typical Fitness for Duty appointment includes:
- Job-specific capability assessment
- Physical and psychological evaluation
- ADA-compliant evaluation process
- Clear documentation and recommendations
- Accommodation suggestions when appropriate
Turnaround time: 3-5 business days
Typical cost: $300–$800
How It Works
- Request Evaluation — Employer requests FFD evaluation with job description and specific concerns.
- Schedule Assessment — Employee is scheduled with a qualified evaluating physician.
- Complete Evaluation — Physician conducts comprehensive evaluation based on job requirements.
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