Testing

Hazy excuses from the drug-screening trenches

05/14/2013

Staffing agencies conduct lots of drug tests—and hear lots of excuses when applicants fail. Scott Morefield, of AtWork Personnel Services, recounts these:

Poorly timed physical costs NYPD in ADA case

04/03/2013

The NYPD has agreed to a settlement in a disability discrimination case filed by the U.S. Department of Justice. An applicant for a school crossing guard position had filed the complaint and later sued, alleging that the NYPD required a physical examination immediately upon completion of a job application.

10 interview questions, online tests to help identify problem-solving managers

01/16/2013

Don’t assume that management applicants with top references and experience have great analytical skills. Instead, find out for yourself by asking some of these questions.

Court provides guidance on DATWA drug tests, time limits

12/12/2012

The Minnesota Court of Appeals recently gave employers some certainty regarding the state’s Drug and Alcohol Testing in the Workplace Act. But that certainty is a double-edged sword.

Conducting background checks on job candidates? Know how to comply with the FCRA

12/12/2012

If your organization conducts background checks on applicants or employees through a third-party company, you must comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which is enforced by the Federal Trade Commission. Here are the steps to comply with the FCRA, according to the U.S. Bureau of Consumer Protection:

Beware discrimination risks of off-the-shelf job testing software

12/05/2012

If you use off-the-shelf pre-employment tests to screen applicants, watch out! You could be setting yourself up for years of litigation if a disappointed applicant sues and alleges some form of discrimination. Reason: Such commercial tests are in the EEOC’s cross hairs.

What are the downsides of personality tests?

12/03/2012

Q. We are thinking about using personality tests to evaluate whether applicants would be friendly and communicate well with our customers. Does using such a test expose us to potential lawsuits?

Beware bias peril built into applicant tests

10/27/2012

Do you use off-the-shelf pre-employment tests to screen applicants? Watch out! You could be setting yourself up for years of litigation if a disappointed applicant sues, alleging some form of discrimination.

DOJ: Corpus Christi’s police tests biased against women

07/31/2012

Between 2005 and 2011, the Corpus Christi Police Department hired 113 male entry-level police officers—and just 12 women. The U.S. Department of Justice thinks it knows the reason for the disparity: a physical ability test that most men can pass but few women can.

When can we insist on a substance-abuse test?

07/13/2012

Q. A couple of weeks ago, an employee came into work smelling like alcohol. His supervisor later reported that day that the employee “acted drunk” in a staff meeting. Yesterday, one of the same employee’s co-workers indicated that the employee came back from lunch “smelling like marijuana.” Can these reports justify requiring the employee to undergo a drug or alcohol test?