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wainwrightbagger  
#1 Posted : 05 October 2010 12:33:39(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
wainwrightbagger

Without getting into a huge debate about the Equality Act 2010 and the headache this brings; what do other organisations do with regard to the information they gather on pre-employment health questionnaires? For example, where you make a decision to declare the individual "fit for work", how do you communicate this to the relevant HR function and/or recruiting manager? Also, if you decide they are "not fit for work" how do you define this opinion and share is with the relevant others? Also, where there may be restrictions that apply or ammendments made to working conditions as a result of the data gathered, how do you communicate this? Here's hoping.....
KieranD  
#2 Posted : 05 October 2010 13:20:28(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Guest

You are wise to phrase your questions about how you communicate what can be a complex decisions. As I'm a Fellow of the CIPD, I've gone along to several recent meetings addressed by specialsits in employment law, on this matter. In my opinion, a sound way of communicating your opinion is to use a rating scale about specific risks you identify in relation to particular tasks and jobs. So, you can indicate your opinioin about 'fitness to work' indirectly by giving a rating of 1 to indicate a high level of risk (and by implication low level of fitness for the particular tasks/job), a rating of 5 to indicate a low level of risk (and high level of fitness for work) and so on. Sensitive use of such a rating scale also enables you to manage challenges about the 'personal characteristics' especially of disability, which can be a serious problem in view of the absence of a ceiling on penalities for unfair discrimation about disability and of some other personal characteristics. This approach also enables you to gradually educate and conduct dialogue with HR, other managers and employess about the risks you address. In situations where you indicate a serious of high level risks, you also can use the data to direct attention of policy makers to matters where some investment may be needed to reduce exposure of existing employees to situational risks.
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