What aspect of employee behavior should supervisors focus on in fitness for duty assessments?

The focus on behavioral changes and reliability in fitness for duty assessments is essential because these factors directly impact an employee's performance, safety, and the overall workplace environment. Behavioral changes may include fluctuations in mood, performance inconsistencies, or unusual actions that could indicate underlying issues affecting the employee's ability to perform their job effectively.

Reliability pertains to an employee's dependability in fulfilling their job role, which is critical in ensuring that their actions do not pose risks to themselves or others. By identifying any significant behavioral changes, supervisors can intervene early, possibly preventing more serious issues that could affect workplace safety or team dynamics.

While aspects like employee engagement, attendance compliance, or personal life balance are important in their own right, they do not necessarily provide the same level of insight into an employee's functional capacity in their role. Engaging with employees or ensuring they are present doesn't directly assess their ability to perform tasks safely and effectively, which is the primary concern in fitness for duty assessments. Therefore, focusing on behavioral changes and reliability provides a more precise indicator of performance capability and workplace safety.