Physical Profiling of Employment Candidates
Physical Profiling of Employment Candidates
(OP)
During a meeting given by an FAA medical type many years ago, he mentioned physical profiling of flight candidates. Is there a similar thing in HR? I need a good book on the subject.
I heard a story of a recent hire in the service industry that went terribly wrong. A professional physical profiling of this candidate would have brought the interview to a screeching halt.(He had an accident with head injury, and that's just the tip of the iceberg.)
I heard a story of a recent hire in the service industry that went terribly wrong. A professional physical profiling of this candidate would have brought the interview to a screeching halt.(He had an accident with head injury, and that's just the tip of the iceberg.)





RE: Physical Profiling of Employment Candidates
I know some jobs require a certain "physical" set of parameters to be met. Examples are police and fire personnel, who have to meet certain height and weight minimums. Although, I believe in recent times, that may have changed due to constitutionality and civil rights challenges.
Also, I believe the US navy has a maximum height restriction for submariners. I guess the boat is only so big.
Is this what you mean?
Outside of these specific jobs, is "physical profiling" even allowed to be used in hiring? Isn't that a form of discrimination? Or, am I missing something?
"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
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RE: Physical Profiling of Employment Candidates
"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."
Steven K. Roberts, Technomad
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?
RE: Physical Profiling of Employment Candidates
Unless lifting 50lbs is a real requirement related to the job, I don't think it's legal in the US. It amounts to discrimination against those with a disability. Assuming you're in the US you can read the EEOC poster in the break room.
Physical profiling of pilots is directly related to the job. If they can't pass their physical, they can't legally fly. As long as it directly relates to the performance of duties you can use it as a filter. It's when you start making up duties, and are foolish enough to document them in a help wanted ad, that the lawsuits start.
-b
RE: Physical Profiling of Employment Candidates
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Physical Profiling of Employment Candidates
Regards,
RE: Physical Profiling of Employment Candidates
RE: Physical Profiling of Employment Candidates
Girls do play football with the guys. Colorado University had a female kicker.
Girls also wrestle with guys. I have read about it in SI for both high school and college levels. Don't know about the olympics and world level.
Girls play hockey with the guys. I have read about for high school, in the QMJHL and NHL exhibition.
Welcome to the new millenium norsk.
"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?
RE: Physical Profiling of Employment Candidates
RE: Physical Profiling of Employment Candidates
RE: Physical Profiling of Employment Candidates
That is why the local pool has adult learn to swim programs.
"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?
RE: Physical Profiling of Employment Candidates
RE: Physical Profiling of Employment Candidates
"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?
RE: Physical Profiling of Employment Candidates
"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."
Steven K. Roberts, Technomad
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?
RE: Physical Profiling of Employment Candidates
RE: Physical Profiling of Employment Candidates
"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."
Steven K. Roberts, Technomad
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?
RE: Physical Profiling of Employment Candidates
RE: Physical Profiling of Employment Candidates
As an aside physical behavoir as a reflection of character is well documented, ie. the way a person responds to other people (crossed arms as opposed to open arms / defensive as opposed to open and inviting)
RE: Physical Profiling of Employment Candidates
RE: Physical Profiling of Employment Candidates
and yes, it appears that some french HR managers still use facial characteristics as a decision basis as ziggi wrote.
RE: Physical Profiling of Employment Candidates
Chivalry is from days gone by. It exists whenever people of those days are together.
When I am in the company of my peers, and the generations before me, I practice the social graces I was taught, because it pertains.
When I am in the conmpany of my child's peers, and the generations that are close to them, I practice the social graces that they were taught, because it pertains.
I do not expect my children to behave towards their peers the way I behave towards mine. Social norms change, that I am aware. What the new social norm is, I am not always sure.
I do not expect females of my generation to participate in contact sports with men - although I am sure some do, and that is perfectly valid.
I more expect females of my children's generation to participate in contact sports with men - although I am sure some do not, and that is also perfectly valid.
What do you think?
"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?
RE: Physical Profiling of Employment Candidates
All I am saying is that I agree with Norsk and it is like chivalry, or more like a sign of respect to women that would make it sound "absurd" for a woman to want to play contact sports with men.
Mike
Green Mountain Window and Door Co.
My opinions are my own and in no way reflect the opinions of my coworkers and company
RE: Physical Profiling of Employment Candidates
Huh???
"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?
RE: Physical Profiling of Employment Candidates
This is a game (I don't think that in US they play it) that involves a lot of contact. For many, was the first real contact with a girl.
ahahaha. Good times...
RE: Physical Profiling of Employment Candidates
He was dyslexic and found it very difficult to complete his rounds. He got off lightly because he had put that he was dyslexic in his application and the Post Office decided it would be discrimination to reject him on these grounds.
What a crazy world... I can just about begin to understand the post office concern in this increasingly American style litigious society, but what made the guy apply for the job in the first place?
PS another postman sued the post office because he hurt his back emptying a post box that was more full than usual and the post office, in turn, sued the one man (woman) company for using the post box for her mailshot..... you can bet reason went out of the window and stayed out in thse cases wen they came to court.
JMW
www.ViscoAnalyser.com
RE: Physical Profiling of Employment Candidates
To clarify what I was looking for:
A reference in physical profiling would reveal intelligence indicators, probity indicators (tendency to lie), mental aberrations, well-rounded characteristics, leadership indicators, quick thinking indicators, etc.
From what I see today the interview process is mostly subjective without good indicators for the information that really counts.
RE: Physical Profiling of Employment Candidates
Many large corporations, IBM, P&G, DuPont to name a couple that I have interviewed with, are really looking hard into objective indicators. And, they have tried many different "physical profiling" techniques that have been touted in the past, and I am sure, currently.
In the end, it is still a "crap shoot".
The best predictor of a interviewee's success at the company is the referece of one of your current employee. At the 3 companies that I have worked at, nepotism was encouraged. Because it works better than the rest.
"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?
RE: Physical Profiling of Employment Candidates
RE: Physical Profiling of Employment Candidates
I don't see how any physical indicators could possibly predict the factors you wish to measure. There are correlations, for example most CEO's are taller than average, but I think you'll get your pants sued off if you start rejecting new hires because they're "too short".
Perhaps you are referring to IQ, personality, and other psychological tests. These have uses, but you have to know what you're doing. If you're asking about it here, you need to get in touch with an expert.
-b
RE: Physical Profiling of Employment Candidates
I should be CEO, I am the tallest of my company!!!
RE: Physical Profiling of Employment Candidates
RE: Physical Profiling of Employment Candidates
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA