About the Post Offer Employment Testing (POET) Program

The primary role of the Fit for Duty (FFD) Program is to provide departments with access to post-offer of employment testing (POET) for prospective university employees. The FFD Coordinator is responsible for coordinating all aspects of the program.

The Role of Physical Demands Analyses (PDAs)

The Fit for Duty Program, along with the Ergonomics Program, is also responsible for completing physical demands analyses (PDAs). PDAs are a critical component of the FFD and POET test development process. PDAs are in-depth reports that identify and document the specific physical requirements of a job. Measurements such as tool and material weights, manual materials handling requirements, push and pull force requirements are taken to provide an accurate representation of a job’s physical demands. PDAs provide the necessary information to develop and, when necessary, update and modify POET tests to ensure accuracy. PDAs provide the necessary information to develop and, when necessary, update and modify POET tests to maintain alignment with the current physical demands of a job.
Learn more about physical demands analyses and ergonomic evaluations here.

Benefits of Post-Offer Employment Testing (POET)

POET testing offers several key benefits for the university, including:

• Reduced injury rates – the least costly injury is the one that never happens. A 2003 study that looked at plant operators in Chicago demonstrated an 18.5% decreased injury rate and 79% cost savings on injury spending¹. Another study in 2006 (Rosenblum et. al) suggested that employees that were not screened with a pre-employment test were nearly 2.5 times more likely to develop a musculoskeletal condition from overexertion on the job².
• Lower work comp costs – POET testing programs demonstrated a combined yearly savings of $797 for costs associated with workers’ compensation, medical, drug and short-term disability. If savings were scaled for the hiring of 1000 workers, an employer utilizing POET testing could expect savings of nearly $800,000³.
• Increase employee retention – POET testing programs demonstrated a 7.2% lower employee turnover rate over a 4-year period ³.
• Legal compliance – POET tests are EEOC and ADA compliant and legally defensible, complying with all federal legislation.

POET Testing Process

POET tests are tailored to the specific physical demands of each job and ensure that a prospective employee can perform the essential functions of the job. POET test results provide an impartial report for making informed and legally compliant decisions regarding new employee hires. POET tests are administered after a job offer is extended to a candidate, prior to their anticipated start date.

During a POET test, prospective employees will be assessed on the following criteria:

• Medical History – comprehensive medical history is obtained to provide information on previous injuries, surgeries, treatments, and current medical conditions. This is done to ensure that a candidate may safely undergo POET testing. Physician clearance to continue testing may be requested by the testing vendor if the candidate discloses any previous or current impairment that the testing clinician may feel creates an unsafe situation to continue testing.”
• Musculoskeletal Examination – licensed clinicians (physical therapists) complete a comprehensive evaluation with over one hundred baseline measurements including muscle strength, reflexes, and range of motion.
• Dynamic Lifting – this portion of test utilizes four standard lifting postures determined by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to gather baseline material handling data. The specific weight requirements for each lift are obtained from the physical demands analysis. This portion of the test qualifies candidates to attempt job simulation tasks. Candidates are instructed on proper lifting techniques for each lifting posture. The specific weight requirements for each lift will vary depending on the job being tested for.
• Job Specific Tasks – This portion tests the candidate’s ability to perform the essential functions of the job being offered by simulating 3 to 5 specific tasks. These essential functions are derived from job description listings, as well as from information in PDAs and in collaboration with hiring supervisors and the departments. Department approval is required whenever a POET test is modified or created.

POET Test Results and Hiring Decisions

Once a POET test is complete, the results are provided to the hiring department supervisor and the appropriate HR representatives, as well as the FFD Coordinator. At that point, the department will make the final determination to continue with hiring the candidate, or rescind the job offer if the candidate was deemed not capable of completing the essential functions of the job. Though there is no official university policy, it is a strong recommendation by the FFD Program and the testing vendor that a job offer should be rescinded if a candidate is deemed not capable.

There is a cost associated with POET testing services. POET testing capacity is limited and based on available resources. Please contact FFD Coordinator for more information.

Reasonable Accommodations and ADA Compliance

Like CSU, the POET testing vendor is required to make “reasonable accommodations” for candidates with disabilities to enable them to be considered for a job opening in adherence with ADA guidelines. CSU cannot refuse to consider candidates with disabilities who require accommodation. (See Office of Equal Opportunity, OEO, for assistance). CSU’s current POET testing vendor is Select Physical Therapy in Fort Collins.

Contact POET Coordinator

If you are interested in participating in the POET testing process for your department, or have any other questions about the program, please contact the Fit for Duty Program Coordinator, Dan Piemontese.

1. Littleton, Michael. “Cost-Effectiveness of a Prework Screening Program for the University of Illinois at Chicago Physical Plant.” Work (Reading, Mass.)3 (2003): 243–250. Web.
2. Rosenblum, Keith E, and Arti Shankar. “A Study of the Effects of Isokinetic Pre-Employment Physical Capability Screening in the Reduction of Musculoskeletal Disorders in a Labor Intensive Work Environment.” Work (Reading, Mass.)2 (2006): 215–228. Web.
3. Hoffman, Ben, and Justin Schaneman. “Post-Offer Employment Testing and Its Impact on Health Care Costs for Employers.” Journal of occupational and environmental medicine2 (2023): e57–e60. Web.