Training and physicals?

[JApluto]

I had recently applied for a job at a large DOE site that gets plenty of funds. I was told that I could not work there unless my physical was current. The prospective company said they will not pay for the physical. I have done maybe about 10 years worth of DOE and I have never had to pay for my physical. I could understand that policy if it were a very short term job, but I was told this job could last for up to two years. It seems to me that these companies find ways NOT to hire a prospective candidate. I am currently laid off and I can't afford to pay for insurance so I would have to pay for the physical myself I was told.
Am I wrong for having a sour attitude toward this situation? It seems to me that that policy would alienate alot of good people.
Looking for comments or concern.
Thanks

[Roll Tide]

I haven't worked DOE, but I hear many DOE workers (and former workers) complain that contract companies push things like this down to the employees.

[JApluto]

I have been in sitautions before when the hiring company requires something of that nature prior to hire. I did it and then the contractor onsite did not think it was adequate so I did it again anyways once I got there. So what's the point? Why spend a few hundred dollars of my own money for it to get rejected anyway? Alot of times these companies want their OWN doctor to look at you for liabllity reasons. So why should I put up my own money for something that might or might not be accepted?
That's the point of view I've been taking.
Thanks.

[Dan_E.]

Maybe you should check out some of the other DOE sites?

[Mike McFarlin]

Go commercial.

[SloGlo]

So why should I put up my own money for something that might or might not be accepted?

ya shouldn't.  iunless the company is willing to supply your physician with all the tests required for the physical exam and is willing, in advance, to take that physician's opinion of your physical state as a result of the exam there is absolutely no reason that you, as an unemployed future employee, should be required to fund the exam.  however, if they insist upon your assuming the responsibility for the exam, and are willing to go the aforementioned conditions, then it would be prudent to request an adequate pay rate to allow you to become reimbursed for the expediture within a resonable amount of time, say a month on a year long contract.  as a sweetener for the employer, you should offer to maintain the physical exam in a current state for the contract duration.  since this will be a pass through for the employer, they shouldn't have a problem with it.  except for the site management, they may figger ya to be too smart for them to manage.   

[alphadude]

its a low ball bid method. OSHA physicals can run a few hundred dollars or more. You are the owner of that info in this case, if you have to get the physical, show them that you passed and then if they want the info they should have to pay for it or pay you back.  sounds fishy

[Camella Black]

I could be wrong, but I thought it was illegal to base hiring someone on a physical. I thought they actually had to hire you then you took the physical.

Anyway, hubby has worked DOE for a few years with a couple of different companies and we have NEVER had to pay for the physical. I would look elsewhere for a job.

[Roll Tide]

OSHA physicals can run a few hundred dollars or more. You are the owner of that info in this case, if you have to get the physical, show them that you passed and then if they want the info they should have to pay for it or pay you back. 

Classic!

[JApluto]

I kind of thought the same thing. You had to be HIRED first. It's hard enough trying to keep up all these quals when you are constantly working yourself out of a job and quals lapse because of it. I just try to think of it that a company that has a policy like that doesn't care if they get high quality people. Sometimes ya got to "help a brotha out" to get them back on their feet and a company that has policies like that, maybe I should't work for them anyway. I would think that if a company really wants somebody to work for them they would invest into their employees.
I mean I would figure >12 years in the business, NRRPT, degree, and prior management experience would be something of value. Maybe it's not!
This was just for a Tech job. Thats it. If they let something as stupid as a physical get in their way of being successful, then that's their problem.
Oh well!
Thanks

[mars88]

Hell, just make up a form on your computer and fill it out yourself.  NO one is going to call up the doctor and verify.  I've done it several times over the years using the same type of form the doctors use--they're all the same.

[Roll Tide]

Falsify records? Hope that is a poor attempt at humor. That would be difficult to overcome in the future.

[ChiefRocscooter]

Hell, just make up a form on your computer and fill it out yourself.  NO one is going to call up the doctor and verify.  I've done it several times over the years using the same type of form the doctors use--they're all the same.

Hands over ears (or eyes as case must be) LA LA LA LA LA LA LA

[BuddyThePug]

I could be wrong, but I thought it was illegal to base hiring someone on a physical. I thought they actually had to hire you then you took the physical.

Anyway, hubby has worked DOE for a few years with a couple of different companies and we have NEVER had to pay for the physical. I would look elsewhere for a job.

The employer can make a conditional offer, and then have a medical done to examine for any limitations within the bona fide conditions of employment for the position description. They can't go on a fishing expedition for disabilities outside of the BCOE. Section B.3 in  http://www.eeoc.gov/policy/docs/guidance-contingent.html  which is part of EEOC Enforcement guidelines gives some good concise explanantion.