Pre-employment assessments Pre-employment assessment is a common activity among employers in the UK. In certain instances it is mandatory as part of health surveillance. However, evidence for its effectiveness in determining fitness and predicting good service is limited. This is further complicated by anti-discrimination legislation which outlaws unfair discrimination against job applicants with disabilities. How then does one manage the conflicting requirements of risk reduction and legal compliance in hiring.
Recruitment of employees is key to the ongoing success and development of any business. Getting deployment right first time is cost effective and allows the business to operate efficiently. Making pre-employment assessments part of the recruitment process demonstrates an early commitment to the health of your people. This benefits both the new recruit and the business in the short and long term.
In many cases it may be necessary to screen candidates to ensure that they are fit and able to carry out tasks prior to the commencement of employment. As well as helping to avoid errors in matching candidates to positions beyond their physical capabilities, this approach can also ensure that you can demonstrate an awareness of, and compliance with, a variety of legislation. For example:
- Health & Safety at Work Act
- Working Time Directives
- Disability Discrimination Act
What are the benefits for your organisation?
- Informed recruitment and deployment
- Baseline health measurement
- Compliance with current legislation (DDA)
- Reduced risk of sickness absence
- Reduced risk and cost of litigation
- Reduced staff turnover
- Reduced long term costs
- Increased profitability
How can Bluestone Health help?
We believe we have the answer. We can help analyse your workplace environment and job demands, and develop clear medical criteria for employment. Using this information we design appropriate pre-employment screening questionnaires and examinations, driven by your own requirements and circumstances.
This approach helps to:
- Eliminate unnecessary and wasteful tests
- Eliminate unlawful discrimination
- Ensure medical fitness for the job and
- Ensure legal compliance
- Provide clients with the best possble local Occupatioanl Health Support
Bluestone Health is a provider of affordable and high quality Occupational Health services to local companies acoss the Wessex region. We deliver a flexible range of pro-active, cost effective services designed to meet the needs of modern business.
You will have access to a nominated Occupational Health practitioners who will develop a sound understanding of your business. We can provide you with confidential pre-employment assessments either through questionnaires or medical screening and ensure the appropriate matching of prospective employees to proposed occupations. This is through assessment of physical and psychological capabilities measured against specific job function criteria. An Occupational Health Nurse carries out the assessment. They can consult as necessary with an Occupational Physician, the line manager, the individual and the individual's GP. A certificate of fitness will be issued on completion. |
