Managers who have questions or concerns about an employee’s ability to successfully perform the duties of a particular job have the right to request a “Fitness for Duty Exam.”
A Fitness for Duty Exam is an evaluation by a medical professional hired by the City of Saint Paul to determine if an employee is physically or mentally able to perform the essential functions of a position. Such an exam can be required when an employee is returning from a long-term sickness or injury or when an employee claims that s/he is unable to perform certain functions of a job or the manager believes that the employee cannot perform the essential functions of the job. A Fitness for Duty Exam can also be used when an employee’s medical care giver provides incomplete or contradictory information.
Supervisors are not responsible for diagnosing medical or psychological problems, only that there is a question regarding the employee’s physical or mental ability to perform the job.
All Fitness for Duty Exams must be approved by the Director of Human Resources. Before considering such an exam, contact the City Attorney’s Office or Labor Relations to discuss other possible options.