Suitability tests: Who really needs them in their job?
Job aptitude tests: Find out when employers are required to take them and what requirements apply.
Suitability tests: Who really needs them in their job?
There is currently an important discussion in Berlin about the legal necessity of aptitude tests for certain professions. People in professional fields such as bus drivers or pilots who require special physical and mental skills in particular have to undergo such tests. This was discovered by the magazine “top eins” (issue 3/2024). It is a legal requirement to ensure the safety of employees and others.
The demands on physical and mental abilities are particularly high in professions where a lack of suitability can pose serious risks to oneself or others. Employees in safety-related positions should be prepared to be subject to an aptitude test before they are hired or during their employment.
Changes in the work environment
In cases where the working environment changes or new demands are placed on employees, the employer can also order an aptitude test, even if there are no legal requirements for this. This could be particularly true if, for example, a new job entails special demands on hearing or vision. In such cases, the suitability test is not only considered useful, but also necessary to avoid potential dangers.
Employers must pay particular attention to whether their employees are deployed in vulnerable areas, such as fire departments. Here, an aptitude test can be not only advisable, but even essential to ensure the safety of everyone involved. If the employer has concerns about whether an employee is able to perform their job safely due to their physical or mental condition, they could order an appropriate test.
It is important to note that employees in jobs that require an aptitude test can refuse it, but must also face the consequences. A rejection often means that they can no longer carry out their work. These rules and regulations are intended to ensure that only the most suitable people are employed in safety-related jobs.
The topic of aptitude tests is therefore a central point in the discussion about occupational safety and quality in the workplace. Employers and employees alike are required to comply with the established standards in order to guarantee both their own safety and the safety of others. More information on this topic is available can be found here.