Work Restriction Letters
A work restriction letter documents your medical limitations so your employer can make appropriate adjustments to your duties, schedule, or environment. We provide clear, professional letters after a thorough telehealth evaluation.
What it is
A work restriction letter (also called a work limitation letter or duty restriction letter) is a document from a licensed healthcare provider that specifies the physical or cognitive limitations a patient has that affect their ability to perform certain job duties. These letters are commonly required by employers, HR departments, and occupational health departments to formally document restrictions such as lifting limits, standing time, repetitive motion restrictions, or cognitive load limitations. They are distinct from FMLA or disability documentation — they allow the employee to continue working with modified duties rather than taking leave.
Why you may need it
Without formal documentation from a licensed provider, employers may not be obligated to modify your duties or working conditions. A work restriction letter protects you by creating a clear medical record of your limitations and gives your employer the information they need to make appropriate accommodations. This is especially important in physically demanding jobs, workplaces with strict safety requirements, or situations where you are returning to work after an injury or illness.
Conditions we commonly evaluate
- Back injuries and herniated discs
- Shoulder, knee, or joint injuries
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Repetitive strain injuries
- Post-surgical recovery
- Chronic pain conditions
- Pregnancy
- Cardiovascular conditions
- Respiratory conditions
- Neurological conditions
- Diabetes with complications
- Fatigue-related conditions
- Vision or hearing impairment
- Mental health conditions affecting concentration
Fast, accurate documentation — 100% telehealth
Our licensed clinicians evaluate your condition and functional limitations via telehealth and produce a professional work restriction letter that clearly documents your diagnosis, specific restrictions (e.g., no lifting over 20 lbs, limited standing, no repetitive overhead work), and the expected duration of those restrictions. The letter is formatted for employer and HR use and delivered digitally.
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Documentation delivered digitally, ready to submit.
Relationship to ADA accommodations
Work restriction letters and ADA accommodation letters serve related but distinct purposes. A work restriction letter documents what you cannot do medically. An ADA accommodation letter requests specific modifications from your employer. In many cases, both documents are used together — the restriction letter establishes the medical basis, and the accommodation letter formalizes the employer's response. Our clinicians can provide both.
OSHA and workplace safety
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to maintain safe working conditions. Work restriction letters support this by ensuring employees are not assigned duties that could worsen their condition or create a safety hazard. Employers in regulated industries (construction, healthcare, manufacturing) often have formal processes for reviewing and implementing medical work restrictions.
Information on this page references guidance from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (eeoc.gov) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (osha.gov). This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
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