IMPACT OF CIVIL RIGHTS LEGISLATION AND COURT ACTIONS ON PERSONNEL PROCEDURES AND PRACTICES (FROM POLICE SELECTION AND EVALUATION, 1979, BY CHARLES D SPIELBERGER - SEE NCJ-59208)

• NCJ Number: 59223
• Author(s): M E BAEHR
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 22 pages
• Corporate Author: Hemisphere Publishing Corp
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

MAJOR TRENDS IN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT LEGISLATION, IMPLICATIONS OF SELECTION TEST VALIDATION STUDIES, AND NEW REQUIREMENTS ISSUED BY FEDERAL AGENCIES ARE DISCUSSED.

Abstract

THREE BASIC TRENDS IN LEGISLATION AND ITS ENFORCEMENT DIRECTLY AFFECT THE EFFORTS OF THE PERSONNEL PROFESSION IN THE AREA OF VALIDATION. FIRST, THERE IS AN INCREASING COVERAGE OF THE LAW, REACHING TO MORE INSTITUTIONS AND EMPLOYEES. THE 1964 CIVIL RIGHTS ACT TITLE VII, SPECIFICALLY DIRECTED TO THE EMPLOYMENT CONTEXT, WAS EXTENDED BY EXECUTIVE ORDERS 11246 AND 11375 SPECIFYING ENFORCEMENT RESPONSIBILITY. THE SECOND TREND IS THE EXTENSION OF TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE VALIDATION PROCESS TO INCLUDE ALL PROCEDURES INVOLVED IN SELECTION, PLACEMENT, AND PROMOTION. THE USE AND VALIDATION OF PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTS WAS THE CENTRAL ISSUE IN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT COMM., GUIDELINES PUBLICATIONS, AS WELL AS NUMEROUS COURT DECISIONS. THE THIRD TREND IS TOWARD MORE STRINGENT AND DETAILED REQUIREMENTS FOR VALIDATING TESTS OR TEST BATTERIES. THE IMPLICATION OF SELECTION TEST VALIDATIONS CONDUCTED UNDER EEOC GUIDELINES WAS THAT ALTHOUGH THE OVERALL USE OF TESTS MAY BE REDUCED, THAT WHERE THEY ARE USED THEIR USAGE IS ON A SOUNDER AND MORE PROFESSIONAL BASIS. STUDIES CONSIDERED IN REACHING THIS CONCLUSION INCLUDED THE PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF PATROL OFFICER QUALIFICATIONS IN RELATION TO FIELD PERFORMANCE (CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT), IMPROVEMENT OF SELECTION AND UTILIZATION PROCEDURES FOR PERSONNEL IN THE SUPERMARKET INDUSTRY (SUPERMARKET INSTITUTE), AND A NATIONAL STUDY TO VALIDATE A SELECTION TEST BATTERY FOR BUS OPERATORS (DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION). IT IS CONCLUDED THAT WHILE THE EEOC GUIDELINES MAKE PROVISION FOR MULTIUNIT, COOPERATIVE STUDIES, THE FEDERAL EXECUTIVE GUIDELINES ACTIVELY ENCOURAGES THEM. THIS WOULD SEEM TO BE AN ADVANCE DESPITE THE FACT THAT COOPERATIVE STUDIES HAVE THEIR OWN PARTICULAR PROBLEMS, SUCH AS ENSURING THAT JOB CONDITIONS AND EMPLOYEE POPULATIONS ARE SUFFICIENTLY SIMILAR TO WARRANT GENERALIZATION OF VALIDATION RESULTS. REFERENCES AND DIAGRAMS PROVIDED. (LWM)