Behavioral Assessment Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of the most commonly asked questions regarding behavioral assessments.
What is Tescor behavioral assessment screening?
The Tescor survey, a pre-interview employment screening tool, was developed by Industrial/Organizational psychologists at Portland State University. The Tescor behavioral survey represents the next evolution in the pre-employment assessment of job candidates. Tescor identifies job applicants who are high risk in the areas of theft, substance abuse, hostility and faking. Tescor screening has been used by companies nationwide for almost thirty years to help reduce workers’ comp loss rates, avoid hiring violent or hostile employees, reduce on the job drug/alcohol abuse, reduce employee theft, reduce employee turnover, reduce negligent hiring lawsuits, reduce absenteeism and more.
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How are survey results interpreted?
Applicants are evaluated as either Qualified or Not Qualified. This eliminates the need to interpret each recommendation at the individual branch hiring location. However, management can review an applicant’s full recommendation and disclosures from their secure online management console at any time.
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What does a "Not Qualified" result mean?
An applicant who the Tescor Survey deems not qualified has either:
- Admitted to current, illegal drug use, and/or
- Disclosed theft behaviors during the past two years, and/or
- Exhibited hostile/angry responses on the Survey, and/or
- Tried to "fake" the survey
Many applicants reveal high-risk behaviors on multiple levels. On average clients typically see an 8 to 12% not qualified rate, with some industries seeing as high as 35%.
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Why would applicants disclose these High Risk behaviors?
Individuals involved in ongoing, risky behaviors (like theft and/or illegal drug use) eventually rationalize their behavior. After a while, they come to believe that there is nothing wrong with their abnormal conduct. The Tescor Survey obtains a high level of honest disclosures from the applicant. In fact, over 90% of all applicants screened by Tescor tell the truth about their high risk behaviors.
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Is Tescor screening 100% foolproof?
There is no such thing as a perfect screening tool. Our research shows that Tescor identifies the vast majority of High Risk applicants. We will provide you with reports.
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How is the program administered?
Applicants may take the Tescor survey either over the Internet via our secure applicant website or on our small, portable Tescor Data Recorders. In either case, the survey is self-administered utilizing electronic formats. Applicant results can be reviewed at any time by authorized personnel via our secure online management console.
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How long does the Tescor survey take?
Most applicants can complete the survey in 12-15 minutes. Results are received immediately, thus expediting the hiring process.
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What about foreign applicants?
The Tescor Survey is written at a 5th grade reading level and available in 20 foreign languages. Applicants who are illiterate or blind have the option of using audio versions in either English or Spanish.
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Where should Tescor screening be used in the hiring process?
We recommend administering the Tescor survey during the pre-interview process, after your Job Application Form and our short Informed Consent Form have been completed. Why spend any more time and money on confessed drug abusers, thieves, or violent individuals? Since the Tescor survey will weed out these candidates very early in the hiring process, you save valuable time and money on drug screening and pre-employment background checks.
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Is Tescor screening legal?
Yes. Federal and state hiring guidelines require screening tools to be either validated or non-discriminatory. Tescor is both, exceeding the legal requirements. Massachusetts and Rhode Island utilize special Tescor editions to comply with their particular state regulations. Throughout our nearly 30 year history, there has never been an action filed over the use of the Tescor Survey.
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Can the Tescor Survey be used on current employees?
No. Tescor screening was developed and validated for new hires only.
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Can applicants be screened on weekends and "after hours?"
Yes. Tescor screening is operational 24/7/365.
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What are the primary benefits of Tescor screening?
Companies using Tescor screening increase their earnings through significant reductions in their workers’ compensation losses, reduced Short Term Disability claims, as well as decreased turnover and reduced employee theft. The high risk individuals identified by Tescor are the ones who come to the workplace with an "entitlement mentality." The overall quality of the workforce is improved when high-risk job candidates are culled from the applicant pool. Overall, Tescor increases productivity, morale, and profitability.
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