A Fitness for Duty evaluation may be required when an employee exhibits behavior that raises concern about their ability to perform essential job functions safely or effectively.
Common reasons include:
- Aggressive, erratic, or threatening behavior in the workplace
- Emotional instability or signs of burnout impacting performance
- Return-to-work clearance after medical or psychological leave
- Incidents involving workplace violence, harassment, or ethical violations
Employers typically refer employees for evaluation to ensure compliance with workplace safety laws, ADA guidelines, and HR protocols. The goal is to provide a neutral, evidence-based assessment—not to punish the employee.