What is indicated by the term "fitness for duty"?

The term "fitness for duty" refers specifically to an employee's ability to effectively perform their job responsibilities. This encompasses not only physical health but also mental and emotional well-being, ensuring that an employee is capable of safely and competently executing their tasks. In fields such as firefighting, where the role can be physically demanding and requires split-second decision-making, being fit for duty is crucial for the safety of both the individual and their team.

While aspects such as dress code compliance, punctuality, and adherence to ethical guidelines are important to overall professional conduct, they do not directly address whether an employee is in a condition to fulfill their core job functions effectively. Therefore, "fitness for duty" is primarily about being ready and able to perform the essential tasks associated with one's role.