Post-Offer Employment Testing (POET) focuses on determining whether an individual is physically capable of performing a specific job to proactively minimize the risk of injury. POETs have also been called Physical Abilities Tests, Pre-Placement Tests, Pre-Work Screens, Fitness for Duty Tests, Physical Demands Tests and Worker Selection Tests.
The goal of employment testing has always been to hire individuals physically capable of performing the essential job functions; however, in the past, some employment decisions have been based on stereotypes and medical conditions – stereotypes including age, gender and “healthy” appearance among others. Medical conditions including spine arthritis or degeneration identified on X-ray, high blood pressure and disability or disease are not good indicators of the candidate’s ability to perform the physical tasks of the job. To properly assess this ability, the use of tests that measure an individual’s physical abilities must be valid, job related and consistent with business necessity.
