Welcome to the December 13, 2006 issue of The Total View

Published by Success Performance Solutions, Written by Ira S. Wolfe

Visit our Human Resources Blog and Perfect Labor Storm Blog where we can post daily (and more often) human resource updates, news, and Perfect Labor Storm facts. 

What's Inside:

1.  Tip No. 4: Use Only Professional, Valid Tests

Even if evidence exists that an employer's hiring system has an adverse impact, the employer may still prevail if the selection procedure is valid and consistent with business necessity. Tests developed or selected by industrial/organizational psychologists for use in selecting candidates for a particular job are likely to be considered job-related by a court. Accordingly, employers are wise to use professionally developed employee selection devices that have been specifically tested for use with a particular job.

Industrial/organizational consultants also can help employers find tests that are valid in every sense of the term, meaning the consultants will measure jobs through job analyses, develop or select validated tests, and assist in administering such tests to applicants for the purpose of identifying candidates likely to possess the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the job well.

The U.S. Department of Labor has encouraged the use of tests of this nature. Employers should use employment-related tests with care, however, making sure that the tests:

• Are not used to intentionally discriminate.
• Do not have an adverse impact on protected classes.
• Are job-related for the position in question.
• Are consistent with business necessity.

By considering and documenting all these elements, employers should be in a good position to defend the legality of their employment assessments. The work up front will pay off with lower litigation expenses in the future.

Source: A Hire Standard, HR Magazine, July 2003

Have a question about selecting the right assessments?
Getting expert advise is easy - just ask a SPS expert by replying to this email. Please include your name, company, and best time to contact you or call us at 800.803.4303.

2.  Perfect Labor Storm Alerts # 601 to $603

Fact #601: The U.S. will need an estimated 30,000 child and adolescent psychiatrists by 2020. Today there are 7,000.  In Pennsylvania, there should be 14 child psychiatrists for every 100,000 children; PA has 7.5 today. West Virginia has only 1.3. (Source: American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry)

Fact #602: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistices (BLS), more than 20 percent of the nation's 3.2 million federal employees were ages 55 or older in 2004. Within the next five years, half of the federal government's civilian workforce will be eligible for retirement. (Source: The Aging of the U.S. Workforce: Employer Challenges and Responses, January 2006, Ernst & Young)

Fact #603: Nearly 20 percent of 16.7 million state and local government employees were age 55 or older in 2004. In comparison, just over 14 percent of private sector workers were ages 55 or older in 2004. (Source: The Aging of the U.S. Workforce: Employer Challenges and Responses, January 2006, Ernst & Young)

Don't be caught in storm without all the facts. "The Perfect Labor Storm Fact Book: Why Worker Shortages Won't Go Away" is a must-read leading edge forecast that predicts workforce trends for decades to come. Order your copy today - Only $7.95.
http://www.perfectlaborstorm.com/

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3.  New for 2007: "Leading Others" Leadership Development Seminar

Announcing the Leaders Others Seminar (or Leading Leaders for senior executives)-Develop leaders to take a strategic approach to people management. The seminar addresses universal leadership principles (values) as well as key management competencies which support the vision and strategy of the organization.  

The Seminar focuses on the personal development of current and future leaders plus these specific skills sets:

Experience the most comprehensive leadership development program with measurable results by calling us at 800-803-4303 for more information or by replying to this email.

We are now accepting applications for "Leading Others" tentatively scheduled for March 2007 and setting appointments for on-site training.

NEWS!! Taking Leadership to a New Level
Ira S Wolfe successfully completed ASSESS Development Certification Training and has been certified by Bigby Havis & Associates to deliver ASSESS career and leadership development workshops and consulting.

Bigby Havis is a global organizational psychology consulting company providing state-of-the-art selection and development solutions to client companies worldwide.

4.   First Time Ever! CriteriaOne DISC Certification

ONLY 3 Seats Left! Register today - Call 800.803.4303

This one day DISC Certification workshop gives in-house managers and trainers the background and knowledge they need to help all employees meet their personal and organizational objectives. Successful participants will learn from the experts how to help employees to communicate more effectively, managers to build high performing teams, salespeople to sell more, and customer service agents to improve satisfaction.

Registration is limited to 10. (Only 3 seats left.) Don't miss out on this first ever CriteriaOne DISC certifcation on January 9, 2007, from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM in Lancaster PA.

5.  Find Out What You Need To Know BEFORE Hire Your Next Employee!

Introducing JobClues ... a state-of-the-art, fast, affordable assessment tool guaranteed to help you make smarter, more informed hiring decisions.

Take the test yourself ... you'll be amazed at the accuracy of the assessment results ... and you'll immediately see how this tool will give you keen insights into a candidate's abilities and "fit" for the job you want to fill.

Click here For a FREE JobClues report, or call toll-free at 800-803-4303.

6.   Quotes from Hire Authorities

Everything comes to he who hustles while he waits.
Thomas Edison

Ira S. Wolfe Copyright 2006 - All Rights Reserved. Reprints and other distribution by permission