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name appears on the Register, he or she will not be allowed to work in an
environment which allows for access to children. To establish whether the
person’s name appears in Part B of the Child Protection Register, the employer
should complete and submit the correct form which can be obtained from
the Department of Social Development.
If, as the owner of a day care centre you find out that an employee has
been convicted of a sexual offence against children and mentally disabled
people or has been found unsuitable to work with children, it is vital that the
employee be moved to another position that will not bring the employee into
contact with children, or if that is not possible, that the employer consider
terminating the employment of the person.
As you are dealing with a very sensitive issue, it is advisable that you consult
with your labour specialist to ensure that your recruitment processes are
legal and appropriate to identifying potential issues, and that you engage
your labour specialist immediately for guidance should any issue relating to
a sexual offence by an employee arise.
Labour

Must a psychometric test be certified?

Tata Mokwayi
February 2018

“I have been investigating the use of psychometric tests at my business to
better screen potential job applicants. A friend however informed me that I
should be careful and make sure that whatever test I use is certified by the
Health Professions Council. Is this so, because I’m struggling to find tests that
are so certified?”

Psychometric tests are generally used to measure personality traits or personal
characteristics about a person including aspects such as styles or modes of
working, ability to think conceptually, decision-making styles and stress levels.
In the employment context, psychometric tests have frequently been used to
help provide additional information about persons for purposes of employment,
promotions, personal development etc.

In South Africa, Section 8 of the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 (“EEA”) sets
out the requirements for psychological testing, which include psychometric
tests. Section 8 states that:
“Psychological testing and other similar assessments of an employee are
prohibited unless the test or assessment being used-

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