Test for new hires?

Status
Not open for further replies.
TonyEEINC said:
Simple Math is a basic skill needed, ask them to lay out cans, or even a find the center of a space with a tape. You would be floored at how much time is wasted because guys can't divide, or subtract.
Tony
Click to expand...


I like to mess with people and tell them it's 2/8's...boy what a look you get with that remark...
 
charlie b said:
Are you prepared to face the possible consequences of a person having taken the test, and having not being hired, subsequently claiming that the test was prejudicial against him or her in some real or imagined way?[/SIZE][/FONT]
Click to expand...

Unless the test favors a certain race, religion, sexual orientation, age, or lack of disability (the protected classes), you can discriminate. You can discriminate against hiring people that don't pass the test or limit the offered position based upon their score. If you decide to test you must test everybody in the same job category, meaning you don't have to test secretaries and project managers if the test is meant for electricians and helpers. The worst thing you could do is to only test certain applicants in the same category. If any of those certain applicants is a protected class you have a real problem if they are not hired and they sue.
 
Back to peircings and that guy I mentioned earlier in the thread that I worked for a while with.

After about 6-7 months his brother asks me - "Hey, do you have a tongue piercing?" I answer yes.... "When did you get that?" I answer 3 years ago. He calls over his brother - the boss. Same questions - same answers. And futher he asks - "You had that when you came in to interview with me? - "Yes.... But I don't make a habit of sticking my toungue out at people. Otherwise you wouldn't know, I see you 2-3 times a day - and more than your brother - you never noticed." - "I guess you got a point....."

BTW I still have it....
 
tallgirl said:
\Neat and clean -- sure. Anyone who's got a problem with basic personal hygiene is going to have problems with things like cleaning up their work area, staying organized and focused on a job, and so on down the line. The only restrictions you should put on someone with body jewelry is that they don't wear it in situations where it could be dangerous.
Click to expand...


Would be dangerous? That would be any and all situations on a construction site. Especially in the electrical world. I've worked for many a contractor that will allow no jewelery at all, no exceptions. And I fully understand why. I personally know an man who almost lost a finger because of his wedding ring. When dealing with live electrical current, power tools and a work environment with lots of rough edges so to speak, there is no place for jewelery of any sort.
 
mark henderson said:
I am putting together a test or quiz for new hires. Does anyone else do this and what are some good questions for a residential only shop. I might also give the test to a helper who feels he has advanced.

Thanks Mark
Click to expand...

I'm not great on paper/text type tests however any type of hands on test I do great in.

I figure most electricians are the same as they are working with a "Hands on type job" all day.

Overall, if the test is laid out so its not a paper/text type thing, I'm for it.
 
cselectric said:
I personally know an man who almost lost a finger because of his wedding ring. When dealing with live electrical current, power tools and a work environment with lots of rough edges so to speak, there is no place for jewelery of any sort.
Click to expand...
How did he get the ring on over his gloves?
 
cselectric said:
Would be dangerous? That would be any and all situations on a construction site. Especially in the electrical world. I've worked for many a contractor that will allow no jewelery at all, no exceptions. And I fully understand why. I personally know an man who almost lost a finger because of his wedding ring. When dealing with live electrical current, power tools and a work environment with lots of rough edges so to speak, there is no place for jewelery of any sort.
Click to expand...

For safety reasons I don't allow jewelry of any kind to be worn. Most of us are married. I've heard countless stories of wedding ring mishaps. Nothing to do with electricity (well one, actually).

edit: Just thought of a plumber friend of mine who recently got married and wears his ring. Platinum or something. He was told that if anything happens, the ring can not be cut off because the metal is too hard. I told him he's nuts. Why anyone would want to risk it blows my mind.
 
Last edited:
I don?t perform residential work but I have taken several tests for industrial electricians from different employers.

One test consisted of basic electrical items such as connectors, couplings, different sizes of wire, etc. stapled to a 4X8 sheet of plywood.

The applicant had to identify a certain percentage of all items on the board correctly and some code related questions dealing with strapping, box fill and junction box sizing l to be considered for journeyman pay. If you did not receive journeyman pay, then had to prove yourself as a journeyman over the course of several weeks to receive journeyman pay.

Of course if the state has mandatory apprenticeship requirement or journeyman licensing requirements that makes it easier you just require a certificate or license to show that they at least have some knowledge of the trade.
 
cselectric said:
In my experience, 90% of the tradesmen I've seen in the field don't wear gloves. Maybe they are supposed to, but reality is a different matter.
Click to expand...

many industrial workers are prohibited from wearing gloves around rotating machinery, as it is often considered a grabbing hazard.

I knew a guy got a 3 day unpaid vacation when a glove he was wearing got caught on something on a lathe and seriously lacerated his hand. The unpaid vacation started after he was cleared to return to work several days after the incident.

maybe these guys worked in a factory before they became electricians.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top