Utah Contractor Practice Exam

Who is typically responsible for covering the cost of a pre-employment physical?

1. Workers compensation insurer

2. Employer

3. Employee

4. None of the above

The correct answer is: Employer

The responsibility for covering the cost of a pre-employment physical generally falls to the employer. This is because the pre-employment physical is a part of the hiring process designed to ensure that candidates are physically fit for the job they are being hired for. Employers often seek to mitigate the risk of workplace injuries and ensure that they are hiring individuals who can fulfill the physical demands of the position. Covering the cost of the physical is a standard practice and is typically factored into the overall hiring process, making it part of the employer's obligations. In contrast, the workers' compensation insurer does not typically cover this cost because pre-employment physicals are conducted before the employment relationship begins. Therefore, it does not fall under the duties of an active workers' compensation policy. While employees may have a duty to disclose health information or undergo testing, it is not standard that they pay for such evaluations themselves as it is primarily in the employer's interest to conduct these assessments. Hence, the employer is the one responsible for these costs.