How to Hire (and Keep) the Right People Using Pre-Employment Assessments

Hiring the right people isn’t just about filling roles – it’s about building a workforce that’s healthy, capable, and aligned with the physical and mental demands of the job. So, how can you ensure you’re selecting the right candidates who will thrive in their roles and stay with your company for the long run?

That’s where pre-employment medical assessments come in. These assessments don’t just prevent injuries; they help you to make informed hiring decisions, reduce turnover, and ensure sustainable workforce health.

Why Pre-Employment Assessments Matter

Pre-employment assessments are about more than just ticking boxes – they provide deep insights into whether a candidate can safely perform the duties of a role, reducing the risk of future injuries or absenteeism. By evaluating both physical and mental capabilities, these assessments ensure a great match between the person and the job, setting the foundation for long-term success.

When candidates meet the health requirements from the start, businesses benefit from:

• Reduced injury risks and workplace incidents
• Lower absenteeism and health-related disruptions
• Enhanced productivity through well-matched employees
• Sustainable workforce health, reducing turnover and rehiring costs

Tips to Implement Pre-Employment Assessments Effectively

To get the most value from pre-employment assessments, businesses should adopt a thoughtful, strategic approach:

1.   Integrate Assessments Early in the Hiring Process

Incorporate medical assessments as part of your screening phase. This ensures potential hires meet the demands of the role from the start, avoiding mismatches that lead to poor performance or safety risks.

2.   Use Results to Inform Hiring and Job Design

If a candidate isn’t an exact fit for one role but demonstrates valuable skills, they could be placed in a more suitable role within your organisation. Alternatively, roles can be redesigned to eliminate incompatible tasks, ensuring the candidate’s abilities are fully leveraged without compromising safety or performance.

3.   Partner with Health Experts for Tailored Solutions

Collaborating with experts like Bodycare Workplace Solutions ensures that assessments are not only compliant with industry standards but also tailored to the specific demands of your workforce.

How Austral Bricks Strengthened Safety and Recruitment

When Austral Bricks Victoria wanted to build a safer workforce, they partnered with Bodycare to design a pre-employment assessment program tailored to their needs. The results? A $600,000 saving in both work-related and non-work-related injuries, improved retention, and a safer, more engaged workforce.

“Bodycare’s assessments are more than a compliance measure. They ensure we hire people who fit the physical demands of the role and help us reduce injury risks across the board,” says David Brial, National WHS & Workers Compensation Manager at Austral Bricks.

What’s Next? The Value of Ongoing Health Monitoring

The journey doesn’t end with hiring the right people – it’s equally important to ensure they remain healthy and productive over time. Bodycare partners with businesses to offer ongoing health monitoring and support, helping employees maintain their wellbeing and continue to meet the physical and mental demands of their roles. This proactive approach includes:

• Regular health reviews to track wellbeing
• Injury prevention programs to minimise risks
• Wellness initiatives to support mental and physical health

When employees feel supported and valued, they are more likely to stay engaged, leading to higher retention rates and a healthier, more productive workplace.

How to Invest in the Right Fit for Long-Term Success

Pre-employment assessments aren’t just a tool for screening candidates – they’re a strategy for building a resilient, healthy workforce. By identifying candidates who are well-suited to the role and offering ongoing health support, businesses can ensure they hire the right people and keep them performing at their best. With the right assessments and strategies in place, organisations can avoid costly mistakes, prevent injuries, and create a workplace where employees thrive.

Ready to find the right fit? Let Bodycare Workplace Solutions help you attract, hire, and retain the best talent through pre-employment medical assessments and tailored health solutions. Contact us today to learn how we can support your workforce.