[Razzleberry]

Another post here reminded me of a job interview I had several years ago. As part of the application process, they require you to take a personality test. It's the MMPI-2 - well known as a test used to diagnose personality disorders, as well as screen for employment. I think they use it to figure out how well you can cope under stress/pressure and meet deadlines.

My question is this - that test also shows if the applicant could have a mental illness. Is it unethical for an employer to discriminate the mentally ill? Should these types of tests still be allowed as an employment screening process?

The specific job I was applying for was an accounting job at a large corporation.

I do see why some specific jobs require a person who can work well under pressure, or someone who can work well with people, like sales jobs and stuff like that. I don't see why it matters for most jobs.

[nothemama8]

even with this type of test , we with mental health dx's have the right to go to the ADA, if this is the reason for job lose

[sabby]

There are businesses that use these types of tests to see how trustworthy a potential employee may be (as in dealing with large amounts of money etc) They also determine if you get along with with others etc.

I had taken one many years ago and was told that I was being fired because I was too honest....from a clerk's job in a convenience store Too honest???? At that point I said you can't fire me, I quit!


sabby

[splitimage]

I used to work at a large corporation that used psych profiling as part of the interview process. I forget what specific test was used, but it was surprisingly accurate at predicting how people would do in specific jobs.

I remember being in one job, hating it and not doing great at it and was on the verge of being fired when I applied for another job within the same company. The hiring manager pulled my profile from my file and said, well it's obvious you should never have been hired for that position, but you'll do great in finance. And I did.

When I was hiring, I filled out the ideal profile of characteristics I was looking for, and then looked for candidates whose profiles were close to my ideal. I hired a wonderful woman who worked out brilliantly, and her profile was a big part of the reason we offered her the job.

I think they have their place in the interview process.

--splitimage

[Brian37]

im self-employed and will never work for the man.............so I really have no say in this

[crazybones]

well yeah it is wrong for them to do that every one deserves a fair chance at doing a job i how ever will not have to worry about this cuz my job experience has been ok so far i will soon be self employed as a horse rancher any it is wrong and all who have done this shame on you

[discolove]

that is a complete discrimination.
if the employer is too inexperienced to figure out during an interview whether or not someone has the social skills nesesary for the job, they should never have been hired themselves.