Someone’s trying to tap into your soul…
OK — workplace warning for you all.
More and more companies are using so-called personality and psychological tests to figure out if they want to hire you or promote you.
Some people feel uncomfortable taking such tests because they feel their privacy is being violated. In some cases, it may be. These tests are designed to delve into how you think and how you feel. Employers are trying to figure out if you’ll be a worker bee, or if you’ll be honest.You can refuse to take these tests, but there’s a good chance you won’t get the gig or the promotion. And there are no laws as of yet that protect workers who just want to say no to this sort of mind intrusion.
Well, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is now evaluating these tests and working on putting together some guidelines for employers on what they can and can’t do. The EEOC held a meeting this week with interested parties and alas the meeting got very little media attention.
Here’s a link to the press release on the event: http://www.eeoc.gov/press/5-16-07.html
You can also see the panelists’ detailed testimony on their website - http://www.eeoc.gov/abouteeoc/meetings/5-16-07/index.html.Also check out the recent story I did on personality tests for MSNBC.com - http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14856325/.
I asked EEOC spokesman David Grinberg about what will happen next and he said, “The purpose of this meeting was to get recommendations from the experts
about how EEOC should apply its resources in this area. The experts gave us thought-provoking suggestions. Our job now is to assess the
recommendations and decide how to proceed.”
Let’s hope workers will be the ones who benefit. But in the meantime, there are warning signs to keep in mind when you take such tests. If they ask you extremely personal questions about your religious beliefs, or about your plans to start a family, that’s a big no no. Refuse to answer such questions and if you don’t get a job or promotion as a result contact the EEOC. You might have a case of discrimination on your hands.
Don’t just do things blindly that employers ask you to do. There is nothing wrong with asking questions and doing research on tests your asked to take before you take them. You are all free thinkers with free wills!! Right?!
May 17th, 2007 at 7:36 pm
I think personality tests don’t really work, anyhow. People give the answers they think they company wants, don’t they? And I read somewhere that a personality test that tested workplace ethics by measuring guilt got the worst scores from….a bunch of nuns!!
“I’m sorry, you’re not honest enough to get this job…..Sister Miriam Patrick.”
virge
May 17th, 2007 at 8:09 pm
i think there’s something to that virge..people tend to give the answer they think the employer wants to hear. i supposed you’d be nuts if you said you enjoy stealing and sitting around doing nothing.
May 18th, 2007 at 12:32 pm
While I appreciate how personality testing might feel like an invasion of privacy, I can also understand why employers often use these tests as part of their hiring practices, and, when used in combination with personal interviews do not necessarily think that it is a bad practice. Many employers are striving to improve not only the quality of their workforce, but also the quality of the work environment. So, it would seem in the best interest of both the employer and potential employee that they obtain a good fit for the position. The personality test used as one of several interviewing tools can assist the employer by highlighting certain traits, temperaments or dispositions that will help ensure that the potential employee is in fact a good match for both the job and the organization.
Recently, the husband of a friend of mine agreed to take the Myers Briggs test at work. In addition to helping him in his interactions at work, she was amazed at how much the results (which he shared with her) helped improve their own interactions as a couple. Intrigued, she then suggested that our book club group undergo the free and shorter version of this same test (available on line) – it was an interesting exercise – one that prompted much discussion, and a real appreciation for the strengths and differences that come with each personality type. Our dynamic as a group can only benefit from this new found insight into each others personalities, and I can see how these tests if used properly and in a positive manner, could also improve the group dynamic and teamwork in the workplace.
May 18th, 2007 at 12:57 pm
Wow, you’re making me think I should have my bookclub do the test.
I do understand why employers use the test, but too often it is used as the main tool in making employment decisions. That is what worries me.
May 19th, 2007 at 12:54 pm
Myers-briggs has really helped my team understand the individual ways inwhich others process information and has created a better work environment. But this was used as a tool after hiring, not to determine hiring.
I think these personality assessements before may lead employers down the wrong path. They will be looking for a square peg when a round one may be just they key to success. There are simply too many factors to consider and these tests can’t capture the essence of an individual.
May 19th, 2007 at 1:13 pm
i think this kind of testing is a waste of time. unless the company is looking to discriminate. what answers are they looking to find?
May 20th, 2007 at 4:03 pm
If they help people understand how they process information and in turn it helps them with their careers, I am all for such tests. But I just feel uncomfortable when employers use them as a way to figure out the workings of their employees minds.