Assessment Methods:
Physical Tests
Physical tests assess the minimum physical fitness
level necessary to meet bona fide occupational requirements. These tests
are used as part of the overall selection process to assess strength,
endurance, anaerobic and aerobic fitness for physically demanding jobs
such as Conservation Officers
and Ministry of Forests Firefighters. Pre-employment
medical evaluations alone may not satisfactorily indicate if an applicant
can adequately perform a physically demanding job.
Any assessment method, but particularly physical
tests, must be a valid predictor of successful performance on the job and
be based on bona fide job requirements. Much of the research on physical
testing has centered around the potential negative impacts of general
physical testing on women and the disabled. Due to these potential
negative impacts, it is essential that tests reflect the actual job duties
as closely as possible and the physical abilities tested must be shown to
be absolutely required for job success.
Prior to using a physical test, it must be properly
validated with due consideration to the obligations of the BC Human Rights
Code or Canadas Human Rights
Act, as ruled in 1999 by the Supreme Court
of Canada. To be bona fide the employer must be able to prove beyond
a reasonable doubt that fitness standards are absolutely necessary for
safe, effective and reliable job performance. According to the Canadian
Human Rights Commission, physical assessment tests must meet three
criteria:
(1)
Identification of essential job components;
(2)
Determination of the capacities required for safe, efficient and reliable
performance of the essential job components; and
(3)
Assessment of the whether the individual has the appropriate capacities
necessary for safe, efficient and reliable performance (fitness tests).
Evidence shows a high correlation between level of fitness and
workplace productivity. Physically fit employees reduce their chances of
injury due to physical stress (i.e. overuse injuries, strains, repetitive
motion injuries, back injuries, etc.). Studies also show physically fit
employees maintain higher levels of mental alertness, which can be crucial
for high-risk jobs. However, there are cost implications associated with
the developing, validating and conducting physical tests. Time and
resources are required to ensure the test is safely, effectively and
consistently applied to all applicants. Equipment normally used in the
course of duties will most likely be unavailable during the period of
testing and is subject to additional wear and tear.
The most accurate way of determining if someone can
perform a physical job is to develop tests that closely simulate job
tasks, however, it may also be possible to assess physical capacity
through reference checks in situations where applicants have done similar
work in the past.
If you are considering developing and using a
physical test, please contact your HR Consultant.
|
