work sample

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A writing sample (less commonly situation exercise or English work sample ) is in human resources in the form of a sample measured, representative work performance , which is mostly used the performance-related physical, mental and emotional behaviors, knowledge, skills or abilities of a worker and the quality of work in To determine or evaluate with regard to the future professional career and the associated profitability , cooperation and funding. For this, the employee is assigned one or more tasks in which he is either observed directly (for example in a negotiation with a client) or the result generated is evaluated (for example the quality of a workpiece).

Application and differentiation

Work samples often take place as part of a recruitment and aptitude test, such as an assessment center . Sometimes the term is also used generically for tasks that are intended to measure certain sub-areas of professional requirements . These include, for example, mailbox exercises , group discussions or even the performance in a simulation . Compared to earlier definitions, the term is interpreted more broadly today (Funke 1993). The investigated and required services and facts differ according to the individual professional groups and positions. For example, other things are relevant for management positions than in the skilled trades . The duration of the rehearsal can also vary greatly depending on the area.

Work samples as part of the teaching and examination

In addition to the internal application process of a company or an institution, work samples are often part of a training regulation , a journeyman's certificate or another practical examination.

Work sample design

In order to map this process as realistically as possible in the actual working world, attempts are made in simulation-oriented approaches to adhere to the quality criteria of psychodiagnostic processes such as high content validity . A work sample usually requires the participant's previous experience with the job. Therefore, in the case of untrained employees, the speed at which they practice and learn, soft skills or effort and work ethic can be measured. Appropriate feedback is available to inform the test person about his or her work performance .

Advantages and disadvantages of using work samples

Since work samples according to Schmidt and Hunter have a high visual validity for the test users, the survey strategy is well accepted by the persons concerned. However, the construction, implementation and evaluation prove to be complex and is usually so tied to one activity that it cannot be transferred to other activities. Therefore, some companies are often not ready for it. In addition, there may be a risk of industrial espionage (for example in research and development) and further risks may arise for the employee. However, the likelihood of this is usually low, as there is usually a long application process and it is difficult to feign interest. Skepticism can therefore also have a negative effect on trust.

Employees can also interpret unpaid trial work that is too long or too demanding as exploitation and not as an opportunity to work together.

Differentiation from trial work and situation in labor law

While a work sample is used to assess an employee, a test work can also be used by the employee to get to know the employer, job and company better.

Trial employment relationships can lead to a permanent employment contract under labor law , but do not have to. The decisive factor is whether it is a trial work or trial days . During trial days (also known as empathy), the candidate does not receive any operational work. He does not have to adhere to any working hours or do any specific tasks. Since this is done voluntarily and therefore no employment relationship is established, the employer does not have to pay and has no social security obligation .

However, if the applicant takes on operational work on the instructions of the boss, the employer must pay the applicant, even if no remuneration was discussed in the agreement for the trial work. In most cases, a remuneration appropriate to the circumstances is determined in accordance with Section 612 of the German Civil Code .

Web links

  • Training regulations for some professions and courses with reference to required work samples, an overview for Germany can be found here: https://www.bibb.de/berufe

literature

  • Stefan Etzel, A. Küppers: Management work sample: MAP, Hogrefe, 2000
  • Yvonne Görlich: Integration of tests and work samples: Development of a new process concept using the example of the work sample for job-related intelligence for office and commercial activities (AZUBI-BK), 2003, ISBN 9783898256797
  • Marisa Kaufhold: Competence and competency assessment: Analysis and assessment of procedures for competency assessment, Springer-Verlag, 2007, ISBN 9783531904443
  • Jens Niemeyer: Trial work from a labor law perspective, Dike Verlag, 2018, ISBN 9783038910015
  • Friedemann Nerdinger, Gerhard Blickle, Niclas Schaper: Industrial and Organizational Psychology (textbook with online materials), Springer-Verlag, 2011, ISBN 9783642169724

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b c d Angela Witt-Bartsch: Coaching in the company: the most individual and sustainable form of personnel development and leadership . 46 ff. Edition. Haufe-Mediengruppe, 2010, ISBN 978-3-648-00876-8 ( google.de [accessed on July 9, 2018]).
  2. ^ A b Ernst Fay: The Assessment Center in Practice: Concepts, Experience, Innovations . Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2002, ISBN 978-3-525-46169-3 ( google.de [accessed July 8, 2018]).
  3. ↑ Peter Storz, Georg Gloeckner: bitten through: a way through the practical examination in the dental technician trade . Verlag Neuer Merkur GmbH, 2003, ISBN 978-3-929360-78-3 ( google.de [accessed on July 9, 2018]).
  4. ^ A b Heinz W. Krohne, Michael Hock: Psychological diagnostics: Basics and fields of application . W. Kohlhammer Verlag, 2007, ISBN 978-3-17-019080-1 ( google.de [accessed on July 9, 2018]).
  5. ↑ a b Trial work: You have to pay attention to this! | karrierebibel.de . In: karrierebibel.de . March 13, 2017 ( karrierebibel.de [accessed July 9, 2018]).
  6. ↑ Job search: The most important rules of the game for a test job. Retrieved July 9, 2018 .
  7. ↑ Copyright Haufe-Lexware GmbH & Co. KG - all rights reserved: Trial work: What applies under labor law | Personnel | Heap . In: Haufe.de news and specialist knowledge . ( haufe.de [accessed on July 9, 2018]).