Identity Exploration TESTING ADVICE FOR CLIENTS

Identity Exploration upholds and actively pursues a number of principles for its operation and provision of psychological testing services, based on published recommendations by: The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, The British Psychological Society, The International Personnel Management Association Assessment Council, Beyond Barriers and The Equal Opportunities Commission. As a company based in Northern Ireland, Identity Exploration also adheres to provisions in the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

Remarks and purpose

The assessments produced by Identity Exploration provide objective analysis of an individual's identity and by their very nature do not allow room for unlawful and unfair discrimination based on that individual's gender, marital status, race or ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, age, language, religious belief and political opinions. We believe equality represents a basic human right and we firmly oppose unlawful and unfair discrimination. We celebrate diversity and seek to reflect it within Identity Exploration and the way we do business.

Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 sets out responsibilities and obligations of public authorities on the promotion of equality of opportunity. In its operations, functioning and services, Identity Exploration strives to promote equality of opportunity between men and women, persons with and without a disability, persons with and without dependants, between persons of different religious belief, political opinion, racial group, marital status or sexual orientation, as outlined in the Northern Ireland Act.

Identity Exploration believes creating a business where no one experiences discrimination or harassment, where everyone is valued as an individual and on their own merits, and where the services offered take into account diversity and are accessible to all who use them, is of prime importance.

We believe in inclusivity and transparency, across all our operations in relation to staff and customers alike. We seek to look beyond stereotypes in our recruitment, daily operations, provision of services, business and product development, research and relationships with existing and potential clients.

Implementation

We believe positive steps in the areas of security, disability and transparency form part of our collective commitment to creating inclusive, open and ethical operations. The overarching focus for the Identity Exploration team and its client relations is on fairness, and in our advice to client companies we seek to reflect this.

Security

Identity Exploration advises that clients, in their administration of tests provided:

Where necessary, take steps to ensure the security and confidentiality of test takers and test reports. Identity Exploration tests allow for code-names to be used, as an alternative to test takers' real names. The test reports generated are automatically sent by email to clients, and do not contain any personal data on participants. Clients should make provision for the careful storage of such test reports

Disability

Identity Exploration advises that clients, in their administration of tests provided:

Consult test takers on adjustments to the test setting and test administration they may require
Make reasonable adjustments to both the administration of tests and test settings in order to ensure a test environment that is accessible for all
Gain advice from relevant professionals when adjustments required go beyond the experience of the client.
Where necessary allow extended test time for test takers with disabilities
Where necessary allow for breaks during tests

Transparency

Identity Exploration advises that client companies, in their administration of tests provided:

Explain to participants why the tests are being used and what will be done with the results
Obtain informed consent of the participants.

Monitoring and evaluation

This advice is incorporated into the ethos and ethics of the whole team at Identity Exploration, and we aim to promote the recommendations highlighted here as well as the principles contained within our 'Standards for Provision of Psychological Tests' document at every opportunity.