As an employee, being referred to occupational health can raise questions, especially if you're unsure about what it involves. Going through an assessment may feel overwhelming, but occupational health services are designed to support your wellbeing at work. Here's what you can expect and how to prepare for the process.
Why Have You Been Referred To Occupational Health?
Occupational health referrals are typically made to assess how your health affects your ability to perform your job. These referrals are usually requested by your employer if:
- You’ve been off work due to illness or injury for a long period.
- You have ongoing health conditions affecting your ability to work.
- Your employer wants advice on how to support you in the workplace, such as making adjustments for disabilities or health conditions.
It’s important to understand that this referral is aimed at ensuring your health and safety in the workplace.
The Referral Process
The occupational health referral process follows these general steps:
Initial Referral: Your employer will complete a referral form detailing their concerns or reasons for the referral. They may include details of your role and ask specific questions about how your health impacts your work.
Appointment Invitation: You’ll receive an appointment letter or email from the occupational health provider, explaining when and where your assessment will take place. This could be an in-person meeting, but in many cases, over the phone or via video call.
Assessment: During your appointment, the occupational health specialist (usually a doctor or nurse) will ask questions about your medical history, current health issues, and how they affect your work. They may also review any medical reports you’ve shared. This is a confidential meeting, and its purpose is to understand how to best support you.
Outcome and Report: After the assessment, the specialist will provide a report to your employer. The report will focus on the impact of your health on your work and may include recommendations such as adjustments to your duties or working environment, phased return plans, or advice on additional support.
What You Can Do To Prepare
Be Open and Honest: It’s important to provide accurate information about your condition and how it affects your daily work. The more details you provide, the better the occupational health specialist can understand your needs.
Ask Questions: If you have any concerns or are unsure about any part of the process, feel free to ask questions. You can clarify what will happen with the information or request additional advice about support options.
Share Relevant Documents: If you have any medical reports or letters from your doctor, you may wish to bring them to your appointment or share them ahead of time if requested.
What Happens After The Referral?
Once the occupational health specialist submits their report, your employer will typically meet with you to discuss its findings. This might include talking about:
Workplace adjustments, like modified duties, flexible hours, or ergonomic equipment.
A phased return-to-work plan if you’ve been off due to illness or injury.
Ongoing support or treatments that could help you perform your role more comfortably.
Your employer should involve you in decisions made based on the occupational health report, and any actions taken should aim to support your wellbeing and ensure you can work safely.
Confidentiality
It’s important to know that while your employer will receive a report, occupational health professionals are bound by strict confidentiality. They will not share details of your personal medical information without your consent, focusing instead on how your health impacts your work. You’ll have the opportunity to see the report before it's sent to your employer, and you can raise concerns if anything is factually inaccurate.
Remember, the purpose of occupational health is to help you stay healthy and productive at work. Whether you need adjustments in your role, a phased return to work, or more guidance on managing your condition, occupational health services are there to help you and your employer create a safe and supportive work environment.
An occupational health referral ensures your health is prioritised in the workplace. By approaching it with openness and preparedness, you'll be able to make the most of the process and work together with your employer to create an environment that supports your wellbeing.