Jobs: Standards body launches new way of measuring recruitment decisions

The British Standards Institution (BSI), which has a big presence in both Milton Keynes and Hemel Hempstead, has launched BS ISO 10667 which can be used to provide a benchmark for companies buying in and measuring assessment services.

Employees are any organisaton’s most expensive asset, taking up to 75 per cent of total spending, so effective talent measurement and occupational assessment can save organisations time and money while protecting the well-being of employees.

The standard will allow assessment businesses to demonstrate that best practice procedures are being followed; assure HR managers that the procedures they use will deliver the best outcomes and be fair and appropriate; as well as help ensure that staff involved in delivering assessments have the relevant skills and competences. Compliance with the standard will help ensure that organisations meet appropriate legal and ethical obligations regarding the selection and development of staff.

The standard was developed in conjunction with organisations such as the British Psychological Society, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Association for Coaching,

Professor Dave Bartram, chief psychologist at the talent measurement company, SHL, said: “Good measurement through assessment is the key to enhancing the acquisition and management of talent. Good talent measurement provides the ‘people intelligence’ managers need to deliver the business results.

“ISO 10667 is an important step in addressing issues of good practice in the assessment of people in the workplace. As a global provider of assessment services, we welcome the availability of a truly international standard that will help us in working with our customers to ensure they realise value from using our services.”

Initial interest in BS ISO 10667 has already come from a number of bodies including the National Policing Improvement Agency. The NPIA Examinations and Assessment Unit, who design assessments for the police service, have confirmed that it is working towards compliance to the standard.