From Awareness to Advantage:  in this five-part series from WorkWell, we’ll explain why Post Offer Employment Testing (POET) is the cornerstone of an integrated musculoskeletal (MSK) program that delivers measurable results year after year.  We believe POET is the foundation of a comprehensive MSK risk management program—one that follows an employee from their very first day on the job all the way through retirement.  When designed and implemented correctly, POET becomes the starting point of a true “hire-to-retire” strategy that prevents injuries, reduces workers’ compensation costs, extends careers, and creates a healthier, more resilient workforce.

How post-offer employment testing protects both your people and your performance.

The Cost of a Mismatch

Every employer wants to hire people who can do the job safely and successfully. Yet in physically demanding industries—manufacturing, logistics, utilities, and more—many new hires are injured within their first few months on the job.

The reason often isn’t a lack of motivation or training. It’s a mismatch between the physical demands of the role and the employee’s physical capabilities from day one.

These early injuries don’t just hurt the employee—they ripple through operations. Lost productivity, overtime costs, workers’ compensation claims, and turnover all increase. For many employers, these injuries are the single biggest driver of preventable cost.

Enter Post Offer Employment Testing (POET)

Post offer employment testing bridges the gap between job demands and employee capability.

After a conditional offer is made—and before the employee starts—POET evaluates whether a candidate can safely perform the essential physical functions of the job. The testing is based on validated functional job descriptions, ensuring ADA and EEOC compliance.

In short:

• It verifies capability, not fitness level.
• It ensures fairness—every candidate for the same role is tested using the same standards.
• It helps employers hire with confidence and protects employee well-being.

A Win for Safety, Productivity, and Retention

When POET programs are implemented correctly, employers see measurable impact:

• 40–60% fewer first-year injuries in physically demanding roles.
• Reduced turnover among new hires who can perform the job safely.
• Fewer workers’ comp claims and faster onboarding.
• Improved morale, because employees feel cared for, not tested “against” something.

One large manufacturer reduced musculoskeletal injury claims by 47% in the first year after implementing a POET program—and discovered that employees who passed testing were also more likely to stay beyond 12 months.

The Employee Perspective: “They Set Me Up for Success”

A well-run POET program isn’t about exclusion—it’s about protection. When employees understand that the testing ensures they won’t be placed in a job that could injure them, it enhances trust.

Many candidates say, “I appreciated that the company took safety seriously before I even started.”   That mindset fosters a stronger safety culture from day one.

Part of a Hire-to-Retire Strategy

POET isn’t a standalone test—it’s the first step in a comprehensive musculoskeletal health strategy. It connects seamlessly to early intervention, ergonomic improvements, and stay-at-work/return-to-work programs.

When employers view POET as part of a “hire-to-retire” continuum, they transform safety from a compliance function into a strategic advantage.

The Bottom Line

Hiring the right people for the right roles is foundational to performance. Post offer employment testing ensures that match—protecting both your workforce and your bottom line.

When fit matters, everyone wins.