T.A.P. Q#339 – Unethical or Illegal for Hiring Manager to Give Certain Tests?

It is unethical to use the MBTI in the hiring process, period. If it is the MBTI (and not something *similar* to the MBTI), then he is abusing it.

TAP Q#339: Myers-Briggs

I took an abbreviated version of MB last year and was impressed overall with the content.

And yes, it was reasonably accurate about my 4 letter characteristics.

A few things to keep in mind:

1. Certain companies and industries (insurance, financial firms, etc) are apt to give these tests for the sake of finding a desirable fit between the job candidate and the company, and to identify a certain personality type or character that may align with the company's values or mission statement. For example, a company may choose to conduct a quiz, test or assessment for a hgh level security job, as in police foundations or an executive sales job that necessitates morals, standards and ethics.

(I wonder if any of the Ponzi fraudsters took Myers-Briggs?) I noticed a new Halloween costume on TV today....hit the Ponzi! But seriously.....



2. Just as in some interviews, sometimes these quizzes and assessments often have the same question framed several times to find a pattern. Here's a potential bone of contention:

While some assessments, quizzes, etc may show that you manifest certain behaviours, for example, DISC looks at group behaviours, that does not mean unequivocally that you are _______

For example, I am an extrovert in many situations, but in others, I am not or choose not to be. I can think of past employers`staff meetings when I became an introvert in that instance.

Or by the same token, you could demonstrate certain characteristics or exemplify a certain style at work and not in your home life.

On the whole, I recommend taking an array of assessments, and if you must take this one, it may be an unprecedented opportunity to self-evaluate, which is the first step of a job search.

Best wishes,
Melissa Martin

bilingual career coach
careercoachingbyphone.com

I can not speak to the legal aspects of such testing; however, I do find the results of the Myers-Briggs testing are accurate in determining particular types of thinking. For example, many bloggers share particular traits. StumbleUpon offered links to these tests and I noticed a pattern among those I most admired.

Many Corporate employers use DISC testing and there is at least one company that makes a lot of money offering pre-employment tests that determine primarily the honesty of applicants. Apparently most run-of-the-mill dishonest don't realize it would be wise to lie on such tests.

There are many discussions on the ethics and probably the legality of such testing. Do some searches similar to this: +"myers-briggs" +pre-employment +ethics for more details.