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Employment Question Regarding Psycometric Testing. People With Employment Law Experience And Backed Up Fact Please

NAS68566

Hi, 

I'm a 23-year-old living in Birmingham, I have Autism Spectrum Disorder, I've been lucky enough for it to not affect my social ability in the right circumstances but on my own and under unusual pressure I'm a bit of a mess. I'm a pretty good reader but under stress, my dyslexia gets a bit more prevalent so reading is a bit harder. I'm attempting to apply for a military job in the next year and I'm already concerned my difficulty in select situations (Situational Judgement Tests) will overshadow my ability to perform in the field which I proved in the real world though nothing braggable I can use. 

There was a legal case 

https://www.wrigleys.co.uk/news/education/discrimination-adjustments-for-candidate-with-aspergers-syndrome/

Regarding the court finding, psychometric testing (specifically SJT) is discriminatory against those with Aspergers syndrome, if another test could be applied and used the phrase: 

'The employment tribunal concluded that a 'provision, criterion or practice (PCP) (being the requirement that all applicants take and pass the SJT test) put a group people such as Brookes at a particular disadvantage compared to those who did not have Asperger's Syndrome. It went on to find that the PCP put Brookes, in particular, at such a disadvantage.

Further, while the PCP served a legitimate aim, the means of achieving that aim were not proportionate to it, and, accordingly, Brookes' claim of indirect discrimination succeeded. The claim for failure to make reasonable adjustments also succeeded on similar reasoning.'

When it says 'the means of achieving the aim were not proportional to it'. Doy you think that means there are situations where Situational Judgment Tests are irreplaceable and there's no getting rid of them. 

The thing is (and I'm not asking anyone to sugar coat it to make me feel better, that wouldn't help, but) I really think I'd be great for this job, I've been aiming for this for years and committed to it, but I'm worried that the one test (the only one I fail and when I do it's because of my disability) is going to prevent me from being able to even get through the door to show my true abilities in a job I'm made for and passionate about. 

Thanks,

Joe 

  • I've done a lot of psychometric testing in the past for many of the jobs I've applied for - it was really fashionable a few years ago - sort of an abdication of responsibility for HR departments because I had been 'scientifically' tested so it wasn't their fault if i turned out to be a lemon.

    To be honest - I found them a joke.       They were so easy to 'see through' the questions to be able to answer them in the way I'd have expected them to be wanting - you know, projecting a diligent, methodical, committed team member who likes to stay to get the job done etc. etc.      It was total BS - nothing to be afraid of.      Think of it as learning the tricks to get through a level of a video game to get to the Boss level  Smiley

    They tell you to answer the first way that comes in to your head - but why?      You're trying to get past this BS hurdle to allow you to decide if you want the job - why should they hold all the cards?     I'd have zero regrets about gaming the system and telling the morons what they want to hear.   

    I look at getting a job in the reverse way - the advertised job description is almost certainly a lie - it's designed to hook you in (OTE £150k but real salary = £15k) Smiley      Your CV will be matched or it won't - so if you're being interviewed, don't have any worries about manipulating your odds.

    You don't have to be passive with the interview process either - If I'm invited for an interview, I always insist on seeing the work area and meeting the people I'd be working with - and that instantly tells you EVERYTHING about the actual job you've applied for - and whether you should run!  Smiley

  • I'm watching this thread with much interest. Once I complete my PhD it is very likely that I will be subjected to such testing. The thought really scares me as, like you, all disabilities amplify under such intense pressure.