Fitness for duty evaluations, which are often referred to as fit for duty assessments or by the acronym FFDE, are a form of psychological assessment utilized to determine when an employee can safely return to work after an accident, injury, or traumatic event. An FFDE may also be utilized in a variety of other situations to ensure employees are able to receive the support and resources they need to perform efficiently and effectively in a safe and supportive workplace. On this page, you can learn more about the process of psychological fitness for duty evaluations offered at the Northern Colorado Assessment Center.
The FFDE is a unique type of psychological assessment that is utilized to evaluate an employee’s emotional and mental health. Unlike other types of assessment that are designed to be comprehensive and evaluate all areas of an individual’s life, the FFDE is developed to assess a person’s mental and emotional wellbeing as it directly relates to employment. In most cases, fit for duty exams are required by the employer or legally mandated. However, individuals may request an FFDE if they are in need of legal documentation of their mental state as part of an employer lawsuit, human resources review, or other employment evaluation.
An employee is usually referred for an FFDE to ensure their mental and emotional stability, ability to make decisions, and propensity for performing job duties effectively. We often provide FFDEs in the following situations:
When an employee is referred to our practice for an FFDE, we begin by carefully reviewing the referral documentation from the employer. Each situation is unique, but all referrals should include the employee’s job description and performance standards, any specific referral questions or reasons (pre-employment, return-to-work, etc.), proof that the referral is in compliance with all laws and employment policies, and any additional documentation related to the individual’s job performance.
Following a review of the referral, one of our knowledgeable assessment professionals will reach out to schedule an intake interview. During this introductory session, we’ll go over the referral and what can be expected. From there, your psychologist will develop a personalized assessment plan that may incorporate a range of evaluative tools, including clinical interviewing with the employee and supervisors, rating scales, and a psychological testing battery. The goal of our assessment process is always to answer referral questions while being thorough enough to provide insight for greater awareness and understanding of the individuals we assess. Finally, a written report of the findings will be compiled and provided to the authorized personnel, and in most cases, the employee will receive a copy of the report as well unless they agree to forego a review of the findings.
If you’re an employer or employee interested in learning more about fitness for duty evaluations in Fort Collins, Colorado, don’t hesitate to reach out to the trusted Northern Colorado Assessment Center team over the phone at (970) 825-0481 or using our online contact form.
We understand that recent news coverage around government tracking of autism diagnoses may be concerning. Please know that your privacy is our top priority. Under HIPAA, your health information – including any diagnoses – is fully protected. There have been no changes to privacy laws, and we are not required to report autism or any other diagnoses to the government. We will continue to safeguard your personal information with the highest standards of confidentiality and care.
If any changes to the law occur, we will immediately communicate with our clients and advocate on your behalf. In the meantime, your trust and privacy remain secure with us.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us directly. We are here for you.
