Employee Had Surgery Can I Request A Functional Abilities Form

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Quick Overview:
If an employee has had surgery, it is possible to request a Functional Abilities Form. This form helps assess the employee’s ability to perform specific tasks and provides valuable information for disability management purposes. Here are five supporting facts about requesting a Functional Abilities Form in this situation:

1. The purpose of the form: A Functional Abilities Form is used to evaluate an individual’s physical or mental abilities after surgery or any other medical intervention. It helps determine if the employee can return to work and what accommodations may be necessary.

2. Requesting the form: As an employer, you have the right to request a Functional Abilities Form from your employee who has undergone surgery. This allows you to gather relevant information regarding their functional limitations and capabilities.

3. Medical authority involvement: The completion of a Functional Abilities Form typically requires input from a healthcare professional involved in the employee’s treatment, such as their surgeon or primary care physician. Their expertise ensures accurate assessment of post-surgery abilities.

4. Privacy considerations: When requesting a Functional Abilities Form, it is important to respect privacy laws and obtain proper consent from the employee before sharing any medical information with third parties involved in disability management processes.

5. Legal compliance: In Canada, employers have legal obligations under human rights legislation and occupational health and safety regulations to accommodate employees with disabilities, including those recovering from surgeries.

FAQs:

1. Can I require my employee to provide a Functional Abilities Form after surgery?
Yes, as long as you have legitimate reasons related to job duties or accommodation requirements that warrant assessing their functional abilities.

2. Who should complete the form?
A healthcare professional involved in your employee’s treatment should complete the form based on their knowledge of post-surgery limitations and capabilities.

3. What kind of information does the form provide?
The form usually includes details about physical restrictions or impairments resulting from surgery, recommendations for workplace accommodations if needed, estimated recovery timeframes, etc.

4. Can I share the form with other parties involved in disability management?
Before sharing any medical information, you must obtain proper consent from the employee and ensure compliance with privacy laws such as Canada’s Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).

5. What if my employee refuses to provide a Functional Abilities Form?
If your request is reasonable and related to their job duties or accommodation needs, you can discuss the importance of obtaining this information for effective disability management. However, it is essential to respect privacy rights and not force an employee to disclose personal medical details.

BOTTOM LINE:
Requesting a Functional Abilities Form after an employee’s surgery can be beneficial for both employers and employees. It helps assess post-surgery abilities accurately, determine appropriate accommodations if required, and ensures compliance with legal obligations regarding disability management. However, it is crucial to handle medical information confidentially while respecting privacy rights throughout the process.