The use of pre-placement examinations (e.g., physical examination) as a means of risk and cost reduction has increased over the last decade. Its goal is to avoid hiring individuals with poor physical fitness or increased susceptibility. Crucial, but often neglected, concerns are the accuracy and validity of these evaluations. Without sufficient evidence to support the validity of personnel decisions, occupational physicians and other involved parties run the risk of discrimination and litigation, and workers will face unreasonable exclusion from jobs.
Validity of personnel decisions refers to the accuracy of personnel decisions (hire or not) based on pre-placement medical examination results. The prerequisite for valid personnel decision is that the examinations predict actual task performance and safety. It should be emphasized that validity of personnel decisions does not refer to how well the examinations measure constructs of interest (e.g., cardiorespiratory impairment). It is the association of the examination results with job performance or safety that supports the validity of personnel decisions.
In the present paper, we review the evidence for validity of various pre-placement examination protocols in personnel selection. We also extended Fleishman’s job analysis system, which integrates with impairment evaluation methods published by the American Medical Association, by incorporating the databases provided by Occupational Information Network (O*NET), which contain information about characteristics and requirements of both the workers and the work. Finally, we propose a sequence of investigations to elucidate the decision-making process that physicians use when performing these evaluations to better understand current practice in the light of uncertainty.
Learning Objectives: 1. Articulate validity of personnel selection decision. 2. Describe validity evidence of pre-placement examinations. 3. Describe how to integrate job analysis systems with pre-placement examination protocols
Keywords: Disability, Risk Assessment
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.