Service · Work capacity assessment
Work capacity assessment
Gain more clarity on the options for an intervention or an on-the-job guidance programme, or in the case of physical limitations and return to work under the Dutch Gatekeeper Improvement Act (Wet verbetering poortwachter).
- Clarity on the physical, mental and behavioural factors that affect the complaint
- Advice and tips on favourable working habits and an adequate way of dealing with the complaint
- Report to employer and employee, with a proposal for a follow-up programme
— About the assessment
What is a work capacity assessment?
A work capacity assessment is often carried out at the request of an occupational physician, occupational expert, case manager or medical specialist. During the intake with the employee and those involved, the complaints (at home or at work) and/or limitations are mapped and the question is clarified. This takes into account, among other things, behavioural and environmental factors and working conditions.
This is followed by an inventory of physical work capacity, working conditions and working behaviour. On this basis, advice is drawn up.
The assessment focuses on the employee: what he or she can manage at this moment and which next step fits. We involve the workstation and the working conditions where necessary to answer that question. If the question is about the workplace itself — which adjustments make the work suitable — then a workplace assessment is the appropriate route.
The assessment is paramedical in nature. Determining medical limitations remains reserved for the occupational physician or insurance physician; we map how the work is actually performed and what stands out in doing so.
Complaints and employability
Inventory of complaints, interventions, results and employability.
Behaviour and perception
Cognition, emotional state, coping behaviour and environmental factors in relation to the (pain) complaints.
Workload and work capacity
Overall analysis of physical workload and work capacity, posture and movement habits.
— The reason
Why a work capacity assessment?
When an employee suffers from pain or excessive stress complaints, it is often unclear to the employer what is best done to prevent sickness absence or to promote sustainable employability. There is a lot of attention for diagnosis and treatment, but far too little for the behaviour that can reduce the complaint.
Physical complaints can often be traced back to psychosocial factors. In such cases it is not so much a complaint-focused treatment but a behavioural treatment that is appropriate.
— From introduction to report.
How does a work capacity assessment work?
The assessment takes about two hours on average and takes place at the workplace or at home. It consists of an introduction and inventory, mapping behaviour and perception, an analysis of workload and work capacity, and advice with a report.
01
Introduction and inventory
Personal introduction with the employee and inventory of the complaint(s), at home or at work. We map the complaints, previous interventions, their results and current employability.
02
Behaviour, perception and environment
Mapping cognition, emotional state, coping behaviour and environmental factors in relation to the (pain) complaints.
03
Analysis of workload and work capacity
Overall analysis of physical workload and work capacity. Assessment of posture and movement habits, functional muscle use and vitality in relation to the complaint.
04
Advice and report
Depending on the findings, we give advice and tips on favourable working habits, an adequate way of dealing with the complaint, the influence of lifestyle, stress and worry on the complaint, and the options for reducing the complaint or influencing it positively.
We report the results to the employer and the employee.
— For whom
Who is a work capacity assessment for?
The assessment is intended for employees whose complaints affect their employability. Requests often come via an occupational physician, occupational expert, case manager or medical specialist.
- Back, neck and shoulder complaints (RSI / CANS)
- Chronic pain complaints
- Stress-related complaints
- Medically unexplained physical symptoms (SOLK)
Are you an occupational physician, occupational expert or case manager? Register an employee.
— The results
What does a work capacity assessment deliver?
We report the results of the assessment to the employer and the employee. The report includes person-centred advice and, depending on the outcomes, a proposal for a follow-up programme.
Question and activities. An overview of the steps taken to gather and analyse the required information.
Observations. A description with photos of the workplace visit: the activities, the working conditions, and the postures and movement patterns during work.
Analysis. An assessment of the work tasks and the physical workload they cause, and of the ergonomic aspects of the workstation.
Conclusions and recommendations. Recommendations for possible interventions to reduce the complaints and improve sustainable employability.
— Related services
Related services
Workplace assessment
When it first needs to be mapped what the work demands, what the employee can manage and which adjustments are needed.
Work hardening
When the assessment shows that an employee needs to build up the physical work step by step.
— Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions about the work capacity assessment
What does a work capacity assessment cost?
Guide price € 650 excl. VAT, including the on-site assessment and the report.
What exactly an assessment requires differs per person and per case: the question, the work situation and the degree of coordination with the occupational physician, occupational expert or case manager vary. Send a brief outline of the situation and you will receive a concrete proposal within two working days.
Is a work capacity assessment a medical evaluation?
No. Determining medical limitations is reserved for the occupational physician or insurance physician. Our assessment is paramedical in nature: we map how someone actually performs the work, what stands out in posture, movement and working behaviour, and which factors affect the complaint. The outcome is practical advice, not a capacity profile or a Functional Ability List (Functionele Mogelijkhedenlijst).
What is the difference with a Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE)?
An FCE is a standardised test battery that objectifies physical capacity, usually in a test environment and carried out by a physiotherapist or occupational therapist certified for this purpose. Our assessment does something different: we look at how the work is actually done in the employee's own work situation, and also take behaviour, perception and environmental factors into account.
If an objective capacity measurement is needed, for example because a physician has a more detailed question about maximum lifting capacity, then an FCE is the appropriate route and we refer on.
Does this assessment replace the occupational physician's judgement?
No, it complements it. Requests in fact often come from an occupational physician, occupational expert or case manager looking for practice-based depth: what actually happens in the workplace, and which next step fits. The feedback concerns observations and advice, not medical data.
Who carries out the assessment?
A paramedical professional with experience in work and health: an exercise therapist, occupational physiotherapist or ergonomist. Where the question calls for it, we coordinate with the occupational expert or occupational physician in our network.
What happens after the assessment?
Depending on the outcomes, we make a proposal for a follow-up programme. That may be a tailored exercise programme, on-the-job training, guidance during a gradual return to work, or collaboration with other disciplines. Often this is a work hardening.
When will I receive the report?
You will receive the draft report within five working days after the assessment. The employee and the client can respond to it; the final report follows after that.
Work capacity assessment
Request a work capacity assessment
Send a brief outline of the situation with your question. You will receive a response within two working days.
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