Got a workplace health check coming up and feeling a bit nervous? It's completely normal — most people don't know what to expect from their first occupational health screening.
Here's everything you need to know to feel confident and prepared for your health check.
What Is a Workplace Health Check?
A workplace health check is a quick, professional assessment of your general health and fitness for your role. Think of it as a health MOT — designed to:
- Spot any health risks early
- Make sure you're safe and comfortable at work
- Give you valuable insights about your health
- Protect both you and your colleagues
It's NOT about:
- Finding reasons to dismiss you
- Invading your privacy unnecessarily
- Replacing your regular GP care
- Making judgments about your lifestyle
What Actually Happens?
Typical health check includes:
1. Health Questionnaire (5-10 minutes)
- Basic personal details
- Medical history
- Current medications
- Lifestyle questions (exercise, smoking, drinking)
- Work-related concerns
2. Basic Measurements (5 minutes)
- Height and weight (BMI calculation)
- Blood pressure check
- Heart rate measurement
3. Simple Tests (10-15 minutes)
- Vision test (reading charts, colour blindness)
- Hearing test (headphones, different tones)
- Lung function (breathing into a machine)
4. Brief Discussion (5-10 minutes)
- Any health concerns you have
- How your job affects your health
- Recommendations for improvement
- Questions you want to ask
Total time: Usually 30-45 minutes
How to Prepare
The Night Before:
- Get a good night's sleep
- Avoid excessive alcohol
- Take any regular medications as normal
- Don't worry — there's no "passing" or "failing"
What to Bring:
- Photo ID (driving licence or passport)
- List of current medications
- Glasses or contact lenses if you wear them
- Any relevant medical letters or reports
What to Wear:
- Comfortable, loose-fitting clothes
- Shoes that are easy to remove
- Avoid tight sleeves (for blood pressure)
Your Rights During the Health Check
You have the right to:
- Understand why each test is being done
- Ask questions about the process
- Refuse any test you're uncomfortable with
- Know who will see your results
- Have a support person present (if needed)
- Request a same-gender health professional
Privacy Protection:
- All information is confidential
- Only job-relevant details shared with your employer
- You control what additional information is shared
- Medical records stored securely and separately
Common Tests Explained
Blood Pressure Check:
- Quick, painless cuff around your arm
- Checks for heart disease and stroke risk
- Normal results: Usually 120/80 or lower
- High results: You'd be advised to see your GP
Vision Test:
- Reading letters on a chart
- Colour vision test (spotting numbers in coloured dots)
- Important for driving, computer work, safety roles
- May identify need for glasses or eye exam
Hearing Test:
- Wearing headphones, pressing a button when you hear beeps
- Tests different frequencies and volumes
- Protects against noise-induced hearing loss
- Baseline for future comparisons
Lung Function:
- Breathing hard into a machine (spirometer)
- Measures lung capacity and breathing efficiency
- Important for dusty or chemical environments
- Can detect early breathing problems
What the Results Mean
"Fit for Work"
- You're healthy and safe to do your job
- No restrictions or concerns identified
- Continue with regular work activities
"Fit with Adjustments"
- You can do your job with minor changes
- Might include ergonomic improvements
- Regular breaks or modified duties
- Usually simple, practical solutions
"Temporarily Unfit"
- You need some time to address a health issue
- Usually short-term (days or weeks)
- Often means seeing your GP first
- Job held open while you get treatment
"Refer for Further Assessment"
- More detailed evaluation needed
- Could be with occupational health doctor
- Doesn't mean anything serious
- Just ensures you get the right support
Benefits You'll Gain
Health Insights:
- Early detection of health risks
- Professional health advice
- Baseline measurements for future
- Motivation to improve lifestyle
Work Benefits:
- Workplace adjustments if needed
- Better ergonomics and comfort
- Reduced risk of work-related injury
- Feeling valued and cared for by your employer
Peace of Mind:
- Confirmation you're healthy
- Professional reassurance
- Clear understanding of any risks
- Plan for addressing concerns
Common Concerns Answered
"What if they find something wrong?"
- Most health checks show you're perfectly fine
- If issues are found, early detection is good news
- You'll get clear advice on next steps
- Support available throughout the process
"Will it affect my job security?"
- Health checks are about keeping you safe, not finding fault
- Reasonable adjustments must be made for health conditions
- Discrimination based on health is illegal
- Most issues can be easily managed
"I'm nervous about medical tests"
- Tell the health professional — they understand
- All tests are simple and non-invasive
- You can ask for breaks or support
- Remember: they want you to feel comfortable
After Your Health Check
What Happens Next:
- Results usually available within 48 hours
- Report sent to your employer (job-relevant parts only)
- You'll receive a copy of your results
- Follow-up arranged if needed
Taking Action:
- Follow any health advice given
- Make recommended GP appointments
- Implement lifestyle suggestions
- Use workplace adjustments offered
Making the Most of It
Ask Questions Like:
- "How can I improve my health at work?"
- "What does this result mean for me?"
- "Are there any warning signs I should watch for?"
- "How often should I have these checks?"
Use It as Motivation:
- Set health improvement goals
- Start that exercise routine
- Book that dental check-up you've been putting off
- Feel proud you're taking care of your health
Remember
Your workplace health check is an investment in your wellbeing. It's your employer saying: "We care about your health and want you to thrive at work."
Approach it with curiosity rather than worry — you might just learn something valuable about yourself!
Questions about your upcoming health check?
Contact our friendly team — we're here to help you feel prepared and confident.
Your health matters. Let's take good care of it together.
— The CheckAtWork Team