H Berryman Edwards, MD, FAPA

Sample Questions for Human Resource Managers

Please choose the questions most suitable to your needs and feel free to add others or omit those that do not apply.

Please provide a diagnosis according to DSM IV.
Does the worker's condition require psychiatric treatment?
Is psychiatric treatment likely to improve the worker's condition?
What is the prognosis for improvement of the psychiatric condition with treatment? without treatment?
Is the worker's current psychiatric treatment optimal?
Is the worker compliant with the psychiatrist's treatment recommendations?
What psychiatric treatment is recommended?
Is the psychiatric condition fixed and stable?

(The EEOC Enforcement Guidance on psychiatric disabilities will answer many of your questions regarding reasonable accommodation of mental impairment.)
Is the worker's ability to perform the essential duties of the job impaired by a psychiatric disorder?
Will psychiatric treatment enable the worker to perform the essential tasks of his job?
Can the worker perform the essential tasks of his job with accommodation but without reasonable psychiatric treatment?
Can the worker perform the essential tasks of his job with accommodation and reasonable psychiatric treatment?
What reasonable modifications to the job and workplace will adequately accommodate the worker's mental disabilities?
Is the worker disabled due to a psychiatric disorder?
Are the worker's problems primarily the result of a personality disorder?
Are the worker's problems primarily the result of drug or alcohol use?

Does the worker present an unacceptable risk of violence at work?
Please recommend reasonable steps that can be taken to reduce the risk that the worker will become violent at work.

Is the worker able to perform the duties of the position with at least average efficiency?