Periodic Health Examinations for Employees: Obligations and Benefits | Wellbeing

Periodic health examinations are one of the crucial obligations that employers must fulfill under Vietnamese law to ensure the rights and well-being of employees throughout their employment.

Not only do they help in the early detection of occupational diseases, but periodic check-ups also provide a scientific basis for assigning work that suits each employee's health condition while ensuring strict compliance with occupational safety and health standards.

1. Are Periodic Health Examinations Mandatory for Businesses?

Yes. Particularly for employees working in heavy, toxic, or dangerous environments, employees with disabilities, minor employees, and elderly employees, businesses must organize periodic health examinations at least twice a year (once every 6 months).

In addition, businesses are also required to organize examinations:

• Pre-employment: To determine if the employee is physically fit for the job requirements.

• Job Transfer: When an employee is transferred to heavier or more dangerous work.

• Return to Work: When an employee returns to work after an occupational accident or disease (unless the employee has already been assessed for a decrease in work capacity by a Medical Examination Council).

These examinations must be conducted at medical examination and treatment facilities that meet the professional and technical conditions prescribed by the Ministry of Health.

2. Content & Categories of Periodic Health Examinations

Although the law does not detail every single examination item, according to guiding circulars and actual implementation at professional medical facilities, periodic health check-ups for employees typically include:

• Medical History: Collecting personal and family health history.

• Physical Examination: Measuring height, weight, blood pressure, and BMI (Body Mass Index).

• General Clinical Examination: Cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, neurological, psychiatric, and musculoskeletal systems.

• Specialized Checks: Female employees must receive an obstetrics and gynecology examination.

• Occupational Disease Screening: Employees working in environments with exposure to hazardous factors (chemicals, dust, noise, vibration, etc.) must undergo early detection screenings for occupational diseases in accordance with Ministry of Health regulations.

3. Employer Responsibilities

Under Vietnamese law, employers are not only responsible for organizing periodic health examinations but must also:

• Prepare and manage employee health records according to the prescribed format.

• Notify employees of their examination results and archive the records for long-term health monitoring.

• Report on employee health management to the state management agency for health or labor upon request.

• Bear all costs for health examinations and occupational disease screenings (if any) for employees. These costs are considered deductible expenses when calculating corporate income tax.

4. Examination Format and Facilities

Businesses can select health examination facilities for their employees at any hospital, medical center, or clinic licensed by the Ministry of Health, provided that the facility fully meets the professional and technical conditions required to perform the necessary examinations.

Employees must be examined by a team of qualified doctors to ensure that the results accurately reflect their current health status.

5. The Benefits of Periodic Health Examinations

Beyond being a strict legal obligation, periodic health examinations bring significant practical value to both employees and businesses:

5.1. Early Detection of Occupational and Chronic Diseases Through routine health monitoring, potential health issues can be detected promptly. This enables early treatment for employees, limits complications, and reduces the risk of long-term work capacity decline.

5.2. Scientific Basis for Work Assignment and Adjustment Health examination results help businesses accurately assess the health status of their staff. Consequently, HR can arrange work, adjust labor intensity, or modify the work environment appropriately to ensure both safety and production efficiency.

5.3. Contributing to a Better Work Environment and Increased Productivity When employees' health is properly cared for, workplace morale improves, sick leave and occupational accident rates decrease, and the overall quality of human resources is sustainably enhanced.

5.4. Crucial Data for HR Management and Welfare Policies Periodic health examination records serve as an essential foundation for businesses to develop and adjust welfare, insurance, and healthcare policies, as well as to fulfill reporting obligations prescribed by law.