Privacy Issues in the Community College Workplace

government cannot operate with any degree of efficiency if its employees miss work…. Regular performance of [an employee’s] work is a prerequisite for… most if not all full-time governmental jobs.” 205

1. W HEN I S A F ITNESS FOR D UTY E XAMINATION A LLOWED ? According to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, “when health problems have had a substantial and injurious impact on an employee’s job performance, the employer can require the employee to undergo a physical examination designed to determine his or her ability to work, even if the examination might disclose whether the employee is disabled or the extent of any disability.” 206 The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals has stated the test this way: “for an employer’s request for an exam to be upheld, there must be significant evidence that could cause a reasonable person to inquire as to whether an employee is still capable of performing his job.” 207

A good rule of thumb to follow is not to request an employee undergo a fitness for duty examination unless you have specific evidence: 1) that an employee has difficulty performing one or more essential functions of his or her job; or 2) of other good cause (i.e., excessive absenteeism, poor productivity).

LCW Practice Advisor

2. W HEN I S A F ITNESS FOR D UTY E XAMINATION R EQUIRED ? In limited circumstances, the law may even mandate fitness for duty examinations. Indeed, the EEOC’s Interpretive Guidance recognizes that the ADA permits periodic physicals to determine fitness for duty or other medical monitoring if such physicals or monitoring are required by medical standards or requirements established by federal, state, or local law.

Examples

 OSHA requires that employees exposed to certain hazardous substances be periodically monitored. 208  OSHA requires that employees who wear respirators must undergo a medical examination to ensure that the employee may safely wear a respirator. 209

 Mandated drug testing for employees who operate commercial vehicles. 210

 California Government Code § 1031(f) requires that peace officers be free from any physical, mental or emotional condition that might adversely affect their exercise of peace officer powers.

Privacy Issues in the Community College Workplace ©2021 (c) Liebert Cassidy Whitmore 65