Employment Tests

Many employers opt to administer employment tests to ensure that the individuals they hire are the most competent of the candidates. Résumés tell some about a person but an employment test gives an employer a better idea of the candidate's capabilities. The tests commonly work well but they have been known to work at a distinct disadvantage to certain groups.

While there are rules for many tests, a private employer is given very few rules and guidelines for employment tests. The majority of human resource consulting firms and even corporations use organizational psychologists to develop and administer the tests. Psychologists who create employment tests are required to abide by codes of ethics and guidelines. These codes and guidelines help ensure that the tests are reliable and valid. The rules used by psychologists aim to forbid discrimination and ensure that the test takers are treated with respect.

An individual that refuses to take a test may be denied an opportunity for employment. At the same time, if the refusal is due to a belief that the testing was illegal in any way, the individual can pursue legal remedies just like for any other unfair and illegal employment practice. It is possible to file charges if the applicant was at any time treated unfairly or with disrespect.

In any employment test, there are certain questions that cannot be asked of any applicant. The questions that are prohibited all pertain to common forms of discrimination.

Contact a Houston Employment Lawyer

If you have been unfairly tested for employment, contact the Houston employment lawyers of the Ross Law Group at 713-482-6910 to discuss your situation and to determine your legal options.