Workplace Accommodation Evaluations
We spend a large portion of our day at work – and when an injury, disability, or even subtle health issue makes aspects of your job difficult, it can be stressful for both employee and employer. Our Workplace Accommodation Evaluation service is all about fitting the job to the person, not forcing the person to struggle in a job setup that doesn’t meet their needs. We come to your actual worksite (or consult virtually) to assess the environment and job demands, then recommend practical solutions so you can perform your job safely, comfortably, and productively. Think of it as an occupational “tune-up” of your workspace and duties, guided by an expert eye.
Who It’s For
This service is beneficial for individuals who are working or returning to work and facing challenges due to a physical limitation, disability, or health condition. It might be an employee with a back or neck injury having trouble with their workstation setup, a person with carpal tunnel syndrome needing ergonomic adjustments, an office worker with severe anxiety finding the open-plan office overwhelming (needing sensory modifications), or a staff member with ADHD or mild cognitive impairment who struggles with organization and memory on the job. Employers or HR managers in Durban also contact us directly to assess multiple workstations for ergonomics, or to help accommodate an employee returning after illness. Under South African labor laws and general good practice, employers have a duty to accommodate employees with disabilities – our evaluations provide the recommendations to do that effectively. We also assist in work-hardening or return-to-work programs; for example, after an FCE determines what someone can do, a workplace evaluation can implement those restrictions and ensure the environment is set up for success. If you’re an employer noticing repeated injuries or discomfort complaints in a certain job role, an ergonomic evaluation might prevent future issues. So whether you’re an employee advocating for yourself, a company wanting to support your workforce, or a vocational rehabilitation case manager, our service can help align the workplace with the worker’s needs.
What to Expect
A workplace accommodation evaluation usually starts with a visit to the job site. One of our occupational therapists will come to your workplace – whether it’s an office, school, factory, retail store, or any other environment. We first gather information: what are the specific job tasks and what challenges are occurring? This could involve reviewing the job description, interviewing the employee and their supervisor, and observing the work routine. We then perform an ergonomic and task analysis. For example, if you work at a computer desk and have back pain, we’ll measure your desk and chair heights, observe your posture as you work, check lighting and screen position, keyboard/mouse setup, etc. We might find that simply raising your monitor and providing a lumbar cushion could drastically reduce your back strain. If you’re a cashier with a wrist injury, we’ll watch how you bag items or type, looking for movements that can be altered. For a factory or warehouse role, we may measure the heights of assembly lines or shelving, weigh objects you lift, and assess repetitive motions or forceful tasks that could be mitigated with tools or changes. We also consider cognitive and sensory factors: for an employee with concentration difficulties, how noisy or distracting is the workspace? Could noise-cancelling headphones or a quieter area improve things? For someone with low vision, is there appropriate lighting and maybe magnification tools? We look holistically at person-task-environment fit. The therapist might take photos or measurements (with permission) to aid in making specific recommendations. Importantly, we also like to collaborate – we’ll often have a brief meeting with the relevant parties (the employee, the manager, maybe HR) at the end of the visit to discuss quick wins and ensure everyone is on board with potential changes. Sometimes small adjustments can even be made on the spot (e.g., adjusting a chair height, or rearranging a workstation layout) to immediately benefit the worker. In cases where an on-site visit isn’t feasible (like remote workers or far locations), we can do a virtual assessment via video call where the employee shows us their workspace and demonstrates tasks – and we guide them through self-measurements.
How It Helps
After the assessment, we’ll provide a written report that documents the identified issues and our recommendations for accommodations. These recommendations are highly individualized, but examples include: Ergonomic adjustments – such as an ergonomic chair, sit-stand desk, keyboard tray, anti-fatigue mat for standing, or tools like proper lifting trolleys; Job modifications – like task rotation schedules to avoid one repetitive motion all day, allowance of micro-breaks to stretch, or modifying work hours (e.g., shorter shifts, more flexible timing) if fatigue is an issue; Assistive devices or technology – maybe voice recognition software for someone who can’t type, or noise-cancelling headphones for sensory overload, screen reader software for a vision-impaired employee, or color-coded filing systems for someone with organizational issues; Environmental changes – like adjusting lighting (softer for migraine sufferers or brighter for low vision), reducing noise (through partitions or sound panels), or relocating someone’s workspace to ground floor if they can’t climb stairs easily. We always aim for accommodations that are reasonable and cost-effective for the employer, yet significantly beneficial for the employee. We often include multiple options (e.g., a high-cost ergonomic chair vs. a simple back cushion as a budget alternative) so that the employer has choices. The end result is a workplace that is more inclusive and efficient. Employees usually experience a reduction in pain or fatigue, improved ability to concentrate and complete tasks, and overall better job satisfaction because they’re not struggling against their environment. Employers benefit from improved productivity, reduced injury claims or sick days, and demonstrating a commitment to employee well-being (which boosts morale). In some cases, a good workplace accommodation can even extend an employee’s career and prevent them from having to leave a job they excel at – for instance, a teacher with a moderate hearing loss who gets an assistive listening device and seating arrangements that allow them to continue teaching effectively, rather than quitting. We also provide follow-up support: we can help implement the recommendations, and once changes are made, we’re happy to review if they’re effective or need tweaking. In summary, our Workplace Accommodation Evaluations create a bridge between an individual’s health needs and their job demands, resulting in practical solutions that keep valued employees working safely and confidently.