Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

PSA welcomes Inland Revenue’s halt to psychometric testing

PSA welcomes Inland Revenue’s halt to psychometric testing

The Public Service Association welcomes Inland Revenue’s sensible decision to suspend the use of psychometric testing as part of its controversial Business Transformation restructure following a legal challenge on behalf of PSA members, but cautions that significant issues remain with the restructure while a decision is awaited from the Employment Court.

"We’re pleased that Inland Revenue has finally seen sense and agreed to wait until the Court has decided on the lawfulness of using psychometric testing on current employees during their restructure, and we consider this a backdown from their insistence on testing all staff reapplying for roles in this group," says Erin Polaczuk, PSA national secretary.

The PSA has proceedings filed in the Employment Court seeking determinations that the requirement to undergo these assessments is unlawful. The latest IR position - that staff refusing the tests could face non-appointment as a result - has also been challenged by the PSA.

The PSA had informed IR that it would seek an interim injunction prohibiting IR from taking into account the results of any psychometric assessment in this part of the current appointment process, or from taking into account the absence of such an assessment, or whether a worker had been tested, not been tested, or had refused to be tested. In light of this pressure, IR has backed down for now.

"Today’s decision reaffirms that the collective voice of workers can and should have a significant say in matters that directly affect their roles," says Ms Polaczuk.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

"IR have consistently sought to downplay internal objection to their Business Transformation process, and that has been very distressing and frustrating for experienced staff."

By agreement, both parties approached the Court to seek a "consent order" of the Court in prohibiting the use of the tests in the selection process on the basis outlined above. That order was issued today, and will continue in force until the substantive trial has taken place and a judgment issued, which may well be next year. The PSA is confident that the judgment will ban the testing altogether.

A consent order is a formal Court order made by the Court at the request of the parties. The order also restrains IR from dismissing anyone in full or part reliance on such testing; or on the fact that a worker has taken, not taken, or failed or refused to take a test.

ENDS


© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.