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The OH department is staffed by a team of Occupational Health Advisors (OHAs) and Physicians (OHPs) trained in occupational health, which concerns the relationship between work and health. The principal function of an OH Service is to ascertain fitness for work and, if so, to advise as to whether any adjustments are required to provide an employee with reasonable support. This will be covered as part of an OH report to the business.

In making this assessment, it may be helpful for OH to gain more detailed clinical information about your medical health. If this is the case, the OHA/OHP may request your consent to discuss your medical condition(s) with, or request information from, your doctor or treating specialist(s), Critical Health Solutions (CHS), or on-site Primary Care Clinician (where applicable, i.e. referral from one if these services to OH.).

If your medical condition is complex and the OHA/OHP needs more information before providing an opinion on your fitness for work, you may be asked to attend a medical examination by an independent doctor, consultant, or specialist. An example would be attending an educational psychological assessment to formally diagnose a neurodivergent condition such as Dyslexia to allow more formal adjustments to be recommended. In these cases, Goldman Sachs will pay such costs.

The OH team are specialists in occupational health and are familiar with the Goldman Sachs work environment and the roles that the Firm’s employees perform. This means that they can make an accurate and informed assessment of whether you are fit to work or when you are likely to be fit to return to work. They may consider that you are fit to perform your role as normal or that you are capable of only working less hours or in a reduced capacity. In these circumstances, the responsible OH professional may make specific recommendations about adjustments to your role. These will be outlined in a report to the business.

As with all medical professionals and their patients, the OH team have professional responsibilities to keep the medical details of your condition and other medical information confidential. However, they also have responsibilities to the Firm when assessing your fitness for work. Medical information will be kept confidential and stored confidentially by Optima Health in any format (paper or electronic) as outlined in the Optima Clinical Governance Policy. However, the OH service will notify designated members of Goldman Sachs about the outcome of the OH assessment and any work-related implications in an OH report with your consent. These designated members usually include Employee Relations, HR Business Partners and/or your Line Manager. If a GP or another health specialist referred you to OH, OH will send the referrer a copy of the report also. You can share your OH report with anyone you wish.

The OH report, as an example, may notify the Firm that you are unfit for work, but that with appropriate treatment you are expected to be fit to return in a few weeks. This information enables the Firm to make appropriate resourcing plans to cover your absence. Alternatively, adjustments to your role may be recommended to help ensure a successful return to work. The ‘viability’ and ‘reasonableness’ of these proposed adjustments will need to be considered by the Firm in conjunction with HCM and your manager(s).

The General Medical Council recommends that you have an opportunity to

• confirm that you understand the purpose of the assessment
• consent to being assessed by the occupational health adviser or physician
• consent to a report based on the assessment being supplied to your employer.

Please note that your right to access a copy of the OH report will be discussed in more detail during the consultation.

A further consent form will also be discussed as part of the assessment to enable an OH report to be released to the business.

No, the OH service will not be responsible for your medical care or treatment. That will continue to be the responsibility of your doctor and/or treating specialist(s). If you require or continue to require medical leave of absence for more than 5 working days (or as stipulated in your local regional office handbook) you will still need to continue providing any fit certificates to the Medical Leave of Absence (MLOA) team as part of the firm’s normal policies and procedures. The OH team may co-ordinate with your treating doctors to ensure continuity between medical treatment and any rehabilitation that is needed. In conducting assessments and making recommendations about your fitness for work, the OH service will prioritise your health, safety, and wellbeing. They may, therefore, recommend or facilitate onward referrals to other health services such as CHS, Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), on-site GP Services (where applicable) and referrals to specialists as part of the firm’s medical health insurance plan.

No. However, it is strongly recommended that you attend as OH information enables you and your managers to have clear advice around any adjustments that might be required to support your return to work. OH advice is also sought as part of the assessment process for long-term disability benefits. If you do not attend the consultation, decisions affecting your employment may need to be made by the Firm without a proper understanding of your health status.

If you have any questions about the OH service, please call the OH team on - 0207 55 20352 or extension x 20352. Email: OccupationalHealthGS@bupa.com

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