Work health assessments standard

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A doctor standing in the doorway of a hospital treatment room.

There are six employment check standards that employers must undertake as part of their recruitment processes.

Read the background information about the purpose of the standards, who they apply to and how to meet compliance. We also recommend viewing our frequently asked questions.

We regularly review and update the standards in line with policy and legislation changes. A summary of updates history can be found at the bottom of this page.

This standard outlines the requirements that NHS organisations should follow when carrying out a work health assessment on a candidate.

Introduction

1.1 What is a work health assessment?

1.1.1 A work health assessment refers to the processes undertaken to assess whether the individual will be in a suitable role and working environment. Its primary purpose is to help prevent work-related illnesses, injuries and the spread of disease or infection.

1.1.2 The extent of the work health assessment will be dependent on the requirements and risks associated with the role and what the impact will be on the health and wellbeing of either the individual carrying out the role and/or any patients they may have contact with.

1.2 Importance of a work health assessment

1.2.1 Employers have a duty of care to their employees to ensure that they, and their workplaces, are in line with health and safety obligations and equality law.

Work health assessments help employers to identify and consider early on, any health condition or disability that may require:

adjustments being made to the workplace to enable the individual to safely carry out the duties of the role
restrictions being placed on their duties, for example, exposure prone procedures (EPPs) for workers who have a blood borne virus which may impact on patients in their care.

Minimum requirements

2.1 Complying with the Equality Act

2.1.1 When carrying out a work health assessment, employers must consider the requirements of the Equality Act. It is unlawful for employers to ask about an applicant’s health or disability prior to making an offer of appointment, for any reason other than the exceptional circumstances outlined within the Equality Act.

2.1.2 The Act also places a duty on employers to consider any reasonable adjustments (as far as practical) to ensure that people with disabilities are not disadvantaged during the recruitment process and, are treated fairly when considering working arrangements and the working environment.

2.1.3 Further details on the Equality Act can be found in Appendix 1.

2.2 Who to check and when

2.2.1 A work health assessment should be carried out for all individuals doing any type of work or volunteering in the NHS, including all directly paid employees, temporary workers (supplied by an agency or any other external contractor), students, trainees, and volunteers. This includes when:

an individual will be taking up their first NHS position (whether or not this is preceded by a period of training)
an existing or returning NHS employee is moving to a new job within a different NHS organisation (employers should check information retained about the individual on their electronic staff record (ESR) to avoid any unnecessary duplication of immunisation/vaccination requirements)
an existing member of staff is returning to work following a serious injury or illness and there is a need to assess whether they can safely return to their normal duties. Any assessment will need to be proportionate to the risks associated with the type of activities they will be required to undertake as part of their normal role
an existing member of staff moves to a different job within the same organisation, and this significantly changes the environment they will be working in, or the nature of the work they will be undertaking, for example, they will be required to carry out exposure prone procedures (EPPs) for the first time.

2.2.2 Assessments should take place after an offer of employment but prior to the commencement of their employment / placement or training. Employers can refer to the Health & Safety Executive website for guidance about those individuals undertaking work experience placements.

2.2.3 It is unlawful for employers to ask applicants to complete a pre-employment health questionnaire or to ask health or disability related questions as part of their application or interview process, unless circumstances are exceptional as outlined within the Equality Act.

2.2.4 Employers must make it clear to successful applicants that the offer of employment is conditional pending the completion of pre-appointment checks, including a relevant work health assessment.

2.2.5 All work health assessments must be carried out fairly, objectively and in accordance with equal opportunities legislation and good occupational health practice.

2.3 Agency/external contractor requirements

2.3.1 If a worker is supplied by an agency or other external contractor under a framework agreement, the work health assessment may be undertaken by a Safe Effective Quality Occupational Health Service (SEQOHS) accredited provider.

2.3.2 Employers must ensure that agencies are clear about what level of clearances, (including vaccination requirements) are required for different positions to avoid any unnecessary delays in making appointments. Written confirmation should be obtained from the agency to confirm that they have carried out an appropriate assessment, the worker is fit to start work, and what, if any, reasonable adjustments need to be considered.

2.3.3 Employers will only need to carry out a further work health assessment on agency workers if there is a significant change to the nature of work and/or working environment, or if there are changes to the worker’s health, as described in section 2.2 above.

2.4 The assessment process

2.4.1 The two statements below provide suggested wording for employers to include in a separate form which can go out alongside the conditional offer letter of employment.

2.4.2 The offer letter should advise the individual to complete the form and return it to the occupational health department.

2.4.3 Employers should invite all prospective employees to tick which one of the following two statements apply to them:

A	I am not aware that I have a health condition or disability that might impair my ability to undertake effectively the duties of the position that I have been offered.
B	I do have a health condition or disability that might affect my work and may require special adjustments to my work or my place of work.

2.4.4 In all cases, regardless of which statement the individual ticks, it will be for the occupational health practitioner (or other suitably trained professional depending on local protocol) to ascertain whether there are any additional requirements or reasonable adjustments, that should be considered to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the individual and/or any patients they may be providing services to/or will have contact with. In more difficult or complex cases, successful applicants may need to be assessed by the occupational health service.

2.4.5 Occupational health will then process this information and send a clearance certificate to human resources to confirm the following:

the individual can start work
the individual can start work with reasonable adjustments being made – this will also include recommendations outlining what adjustments may need to be considered
any immunisation and/or EPP clearance (where applicable to the role).

2.4.6 If no recommendations have been made by occupational health, the process should end at this point, and the appointment decision confirmed with the individual.

2.5 Considering reasonable adjustments

2.5.1 The Equality Act places a duty on employers to make reasonable adjustments for applicants or employees who have a disability.

2.5.2 The aim of making reasonable adjustments is to reduce as far as possible, any significant disadvantages that may be presented to an individual with a disability that would not affect an able-bodied person. This may include reviewing how the employment is structured, removal of physical barriers or providing additional support to the individual, such as:

making practical adjustments to the premises
altering the person’s working hours
allowing absences during working hours for medical treatment
giving additional training
providing special equipment or modifying existing equipment
changing instructions or reference manuals
providing additional supervision and support.

2.5.3 In most cases, adjustments will be easy and inexpensive to implement. Further information about the factors employers will need to consider can be found in Appendix 1. Additional guidance on making reasonable adjustments can be found on the Equality and Human Rights Commission website and there are many examples of adjustments detailed in guidance available on the NHS Employers website.

2.6 Access to Work Scheme

2.6.1 Employers may also wish to consider the Access to Work Scheme to help them decide what steps they might need to take. In some cases, financial assistance is made available through the scheme which will help the employer take steps which may have otherwise been unreasonably expensive to consider. This is something the employer should discuss with the individual, where applicable, as it is the individual who has to make an application to the scheme.

2.6.2 Further information about Access to Work can be found on the gov.uk website.

2.7 Risk assessment

2.7.1 Employers are also legally required to undertake the necessary assessments to effectively manage any risks to the health and safety of employees, patients, and others on their premises, under the Health and Safety Act. A risk assessment should:

identify any hazards that exist in a workplace
assess how likely these hazards are to cause harm to workers, patients, and others on the premises
identify any preventative or control measures that will need to be considered.

2.7.2 For more information on managing risk visit the health and wellbeing section of the NHS Employers website.

Additional considerations

3.1 Immunisations: requirements for healthcare workers

3.1.1 Employers have an obligation to ensure that healthcare workers do not pose a risk of infection to patients. Similarly, it is essential to ensure that workers are protected from infection by patients.

3.1.2 The requirements to ensure immunisation against common communicable infections and biological hazards will be dependent on the individual’s role and the risks of exposure that their role may pose.

3.1.3 Employers must refer to the Department of Health and Social Care’s Green Book which sets out the standards that determine which vaccinations are required for different healthcare workers.

3.1.4 Health professionals and immunisation practitioners themselves can register to receive a vaccine update from the UK Health Security Agency on vaccination requirements.

3.1.5 Further information relating to infectious diseases and their prevention can also be found on the NICE website.

3.2 Exposure prone procedures

3.2.1 Additional screening may be needed for workers involved in exposure prone procedures (EPPs), patient care, patient contact or body fluid sample handling. This screening should be relevant to the job hazard and risk profile and, must be undertaken in accordance with the relevant guidance.

3.2.2 Individuals carrying out EPPs have a professional duty to ensure that they are tested and assessed for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. If at any time they should acquire or be at risk of acquiring any of these infections, they must refrain from carrying out any work that involves an EPP and inform (in confidence) a member of their occupational health team. All testing must be carried out with the individual’s informed consent.

3.3 Additional screening

3.3.1 Employers have the discretion to undertake further supplementary screening, dependent on their local needs and risks associated with different roles. Additional screening must be carried out in accordance with the Equality Act.

3.3.2 Further guidance about supplementary health screening can be found on the health and wellbeing section of the NHS Employers website.

Decision making

4.1.1 Occupational health has a duty to provide specialist and confidential advice to both the prospective employee and the employer.

4.1.2 The decision to appoint an individual ultimately sits with the recruiting manager, therefore they will need to ensure that:

the health clearance process has been completed and all relevant information has been considered
a risk assessment has been carried out to identify any reasonable adjustments that may need to be considered for the post
advice has been sought from all the relevant departments such as, HR, occupational health, and health and safety to ensure all reasonable adjustments have been fully considered and, where appropriate can be put in place.

4.1.3 If the recruiting manager chooses to appoint an individual, despite concerns being expressed by the occupational health service, the manager will need to record their justification for any such decision.

Withdrawal of appointment

5.1.1 No individual should be refused employment on health grounds unless:

expert occupational medical advice has been sought
the applicant has had the opportunity to discuss issues raised with an occupational health professional, and the recruiting manager has given full consideration of the facts.

Retaining and transferring health records

6.1.1 Health assessment information should not form part of an individual’s personnel record for reasons of confidentiality but should be retained separately on their electronic staff record or other personnel record system only accessible by the occupational health service, in line with data protection requirements. It is permitted for reports or summaries to be held on an individual’s personnel record, where this has been agreed with the individual.

6.1.2 Employers must refer to Records Management Code of Practice for health and social care which can be found on the NHS England website. The Code provides a framework for consistent and effective records management based on established standards.

Further useful information

7.1.1 On the NHS Employers website you can find information, guidance and resources on sickness absence, protecting staff, preventing ill health and implementing health and wellbeing strategies.

7.1.2 NHS Health at Work is a network of occupational health teams offering advice, influencing, and advising government and other bodies on occupational health in the NHS. For further information, visit the NHS Health at Work website.

Appendix 1

This appendix covers the provisions under section 60 of the Equality Act only.

A full copy of the Act can be found on the legislation.gov.uk website.

Further guidance about the disability provisions and employer responsibilities under the Equality Act can be found on the Equality and Human Rights Commission website.

The purpose of section 60

Section 60 of the Equality Act came into force in October 2010. Its key purpose is to prevent disability or health information being used to disadvantage applicants without first giving them the opportunity to show that they have the skills and experience to carry out a role. It outlines when and what information can be sought as part of the recruitment process regarding an applicant’s health or disability.

It also places a duty on employers to consider all adjustments (as far as is reasonably practical) to ensure that applicants who have a disability are not unfairly disadvantaged or discriminated against when being considered for a role.

Prohibited questions

Section 60 prohibits any questions being posed by/or on behalf of an employer about an applicant's disability and health prior to making a job offer. This is regardless as to whether the offer is conditional or unconditional.

This restriction relates to any questions that might require the disclosure of information about an applicant’s disability or health as part of:
- an application for a position
- the interview process
- a reference request.
The Act outlines the exceptional circumstances where employers may ask health-related questions earlier in the recruitment process. These are described in more detail below.

When obtaining references, employers should refer to guidance provided in the NHS employment history and reference check standard. This standard provides useful template forms which outline the type of questions that may legally be asked as part of a reference request.

Exceptional circumstances

There are a number of exceptional circumstances where it would be acceptable for an employer to ask an applicant health-related questions prior to issuing an appointment offer.

These circumstances include where:
- Ascertaining what reasonable adjustments may be necessary as part of the interview process. Any questions should focus on identifying any special needs the applicant may have to enable them to have ease of access to the building or interview room and/or for them to carry out any required assessment(s) that form part of the interview process.
- Ascertaining if the applicant can carry out a specific function which is intrinsic to the role they are applying for. Any questions should be relevant to the position being offered and focus on identifying whether any reasonable adjustments need to be considered to enable the applicant to carry out certain aspects of the role. For example, Mary is applying for a position as a nurse on an elderly ward. The role will quite often require her to assist in lifting and physically supporting patients. In this instance it would be acceptable for the employer to ask Mary questions to ascertain whether she has a disability or any health issues which may restrict or prevent her from carrying out these duties safely without putting either herself or patients at risk of harm.
- Taking positive action to help people with disabilities. For example, this might include asking targeted questions to assess whether applicants may benefit from any schemes or measures that are intended to help people with disabilities to gain meaningful employment. The purpose of any such questions must be made clear to the applicant from the outset.
- There is a legitimate occupational requirement for a person with a specific disability or impairment. Any questions asked should be focused on helping the employer identity if applicants meet those requirements. As above, the purpose of the questions should be explained to applicants from the outset.
- Monitoring diversity. Any data obtained as part of any monitoring process should be collected and recorded separately from application information.
Duty to make reasonable adjustments

The duty for employers to make all reasonable adjustments is intended to reinforce the importance of taking positive steps to ensure that people with disabilities have equal access to and can progress in employment. This goes beyond simply avoiding treating workers or applicants with a disability less favourably than those who do not. It outlines an employers’ responsibility to consider additional steps that workers and applicants who are not disabled would not be entitled to.

This duty comprises of the following three requirements:
1. Removing any employer provision or practice that is likely to put a worker or applicant with a disability at a significant unfair disadvantage compared to those who are not disabled. For example, this would include any policies, rules, arrangements, conditions, criterion, or pre-requisites which cannot be objectively justified. It also includes any decisions to introduce any such provisions in the future, as well as one-off or discretionary decisions.
2. Removing or altering a physical feature or providing a reasonable means of avoiding such a feature (either permanently or temporarily) where it puts a worker or applicant with a disability at a substantial disadvantage compared to those who are not disabled. The Act defines this as any:
  1. feature of the design or construction of a building
  2. feature of the approach to or the entrance/exit from a building
  3. equipment, fixture, fitting, furniture, furnishings, materials in or on the premises
  4. other physical element or the quality of the premises.
A physical feature may include (but is not exclusive to) steps, stairways, curbs, paving, parking areas, building entrances and exits (including emergency escape routes), internal and external doors, gates, toilet and washing facilities, lighting and ventilation, lifts and escalators, floor coverings, signs, furniture and temporary or moveable items.
1. Provide an auxiliary aid or service where a disabled person would, if it wasn’t for the provision of that auxiliary aid or service, be put at a substantial disadvantage compared to those who are not disabled. For instance, this might include providing information in an accessible format, for example, providing letters, training materials or recruitment forms in Braille or on audio tape.
Reasonable steps

Ultimately, the test of what might be considered reasonable falls to the employer. This should be assessed on a case-by-case basis and will depend on what effective and practical adjustments may be made to help an individual overcome a disadvantage based on the size of the organisation and the resources made available to it.

In many cases, there will be little, or no cost or disruption associated with making the necessary adjustments. Even where there is a significant cost attributed to making an adjustment, it may still prove to be cost-effective compared to having to recruit and train a new member of staff.

Employers should take the following factors into account when determining what might be deemed as a reasonable step to take:
- How practical is it?
- How effective will it be in preventing the substantial disadvantage?
- How much will it cost to put in place?
- Will it cause any disruption to services and if so, to what extent?
- What financial or other assistance might be available to make the necessary adjustments (for example, through Access at Work)?
Failure to comply with the duty

The Act does not permit an employer to justify a failure to comply with the duty to make a reasonable adjustment.

An employment tribunal will only find an employer in breach of this duty if they consider the adjustment in question to be one that would be reasonable for them to make.

Where the duty applies, the question of reasonableness determines whether the adjustment will need to be made.

An employer will be committing unlawful discrimination if it does not comply with the duty to make reasonable adjustments and a disabled worker may have the right to make a claim to the employment tribunal based on this.

Summary of updates

June 2024
- Link inserted re: health and safety guidance for those on work experience placements (para 2.2.2).
April 2023
- Updated information about Records Management Code of Practice (para 6.1.2).
- Standard reformatted to make it easier to refer to. Wording changed to make requirements clearer. Links updated throughout.
May 2022
- Inserted link to the Department of Health and Social Care Green Book (para 3.1.3).
- Inserted link to the registration page for a vaccination update from Public Health England (para 3.1.4).
March 2022
- Standard reformatted to make it easier to refer to. Wording changed to make requirements clearer. Links updated throughout.
- Minimum requirement of complying with the equality act made clearer (section 2.1).
- Reference to the streamlining programme removed.
- Reference to the COVID-19 vaccination requirement removed. Further information can be found about this on our employment checks FAQ page.
February 2022
- Page 8: we included news of the governments decision to remove the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health and social care staff, subject to consultation and parliamentary approval.
January 2022
- Page 8: inclusion of information on the requirement for all healthcare staff who are deployed in regulated activity and have direct face-to-face contact with patients to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 from 1 April 2022.
August 2021
- Page 8: inclusion of government announcement that staff entering care homes must be vaccinated against COVID-19 before doing so and supporting NHSE/I and DHSC guidance.