Occupational Health Pre Employment Screening

Why do you need a Pre-Employment Assessment?

Before an employee starts working for you, it’s important to ensure that they are fit for the proposed role and that any health risks are identified and addressed.

The Equality Act (2010) generally prohibits an organisation enquiring about an individual’s health prior to a job offer and a blanket approach of asking a full range of health questions to all individuals on a questionnaire screened by HR or the recruiting manager are difficult to justify from a data protection point of view.

The Information Commissioner’s Office states that health questionnaires should ‘only elicit information that is relevant and necessary’ and that ‘decisions on a worker’s suitability for a role are management decisions but the interpretation of medical information should be left to a suitably qualified health professional’.

We can work with you to design the most appropriate health questionnaire for your business, taking into account the different hazards and risks involved in each role.

What is a pre-employment assessment?

A pre-employment health assessment is usually performed as part of the recruitment process, after interview and job offer in accordance with the Equality Act (2010) to ensure that the applicant is fit to perform the tasks for which they are employed to do effectively, and without risk to their own or others’ health and safety. We can work with you to identify the most appropriate way to ensure your new joiners are fit to perform their role and any additional adjustments or safety measures that need to be put in place.

What does it involve?

This usually involves completion of a confidential questionnaire, which only asks about health conditions that are relevant to the role being applied for. A telephone or video follow-up may be required depending on the results of the questionnaire. For certain job roles, a face-to-face medical is also required to perform certain clincal tests (such as a safety-critical role or a role requiring health surveillance). We provide you with an impartial report advising on fitness for work and any recommended adjustments or support that would help the employee perform their role safely.

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Testimonials

I’ve known Debbie ever since I started my business over eight years ago. Whenever I’ve needed occupational health support, Debbie is right there for me. She has never let me down and everything she has done for me has been of the highest quality. Her professionalism and understanding of the subject is second to none and I have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending her services to anyone that needs an occupational health service.

Stuart Falconer, HR Consultant, Morgan Thomson HR

I have worked with Debbie on a number of occasions and she has become my ‘go to’ occupational health advisor. She is both professional and pragmatic, builds a great rapport with employees and employers alike and produces reports in quick time. Quite simply, the best OH advisor I have worked with.

Jon Phillips, HR Consultant, Calium HR

SA Law has enlisted the expert assistance of Debbie Holder for occupational health support over a number of years on behalf of numerous clients. We have always found her to be approachable and helpful in what can often be very difficult circumstances for our clients. Her advice is timely, comprehensive and comes at a very reasonable fee when compared with a number of other occupational health providers. We would have no hesitation in recommending her services to others.

Chris Cook, Partner, Head of Employment and Data Protection, SA Law

Debbie is our trusted advisor for OH matters and we regularly refer our clients to her. Debbie’s approach means her advice and reporting is always clear and concise and has really helped our clients navigate some tricky situations. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Debbie and Occupational Health Services.

Chris Miles, Assistant Manager, People Solutions, Menzies LLP

I have used Occupational Health Services for a range of employee health matters. I find the service very responsive, flexible, medically sound and professional taking into consideration both the employees’ and employers’ situation. The reports are detailed to a high standard to allow the business to review possible support and the next steps with the employee and Occupational Health Services will always advise if a further assessment may be needed.

Leanne Taylor, HR Consultant, Beststart HR

After working with a variety of occupational health providers over the years, I have never worked so closely with a provider who genuinely cares about our colleagues but also about our business. Occupational Health Services Ltd understand our business and spend time to understand our colleagues too. They are always at the end of a phone to give advice, support and give confidence to colleagues working with them for the best outcomes for all.

Linsay Baverstock, People Partner, Settle Group

Debbie has been assisting us with all of our OH needs since 2015 and I can honestly say nothing is too much trouble, quick turnaround if needed, with excellent professional assessments and advice given. Would recommend.

Michelle Bolino, Head of HR, Selectaglaze Ltd, St Albans

Occupational Health Services Ltd has greatly assisted many of my clients and their staff in assessing health issues and providing helpful guidance on road maps to improved health and attendance.

Philip Delafield, HR Consultant, Delafield Consulting ltd

We have worked with Occupational Health Services Ltd for eight years now and the service Debbie has provided has been excellent. She always responds to us within a few hours and is very accommodating to our needs. We feel really confident that our employees will have a positive experience with Debbie, even at a time when perhaps they are not positive themselves. As an employer with a relatively lean head count, we do not feel compromised or exposed with the advice Debbie provides to employees, and instead, take real benefit about how best to return employees to full health in the workplace. Would highly recommend.

Pete Howitt, HR Director, ADR Network