Out With The Old: Why Traditional Hiring Methods Might Be Costing You More and How Data-Driven Assessments Are The Future
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Bad hiring and how I learnt the hard way.
My journey as a physiotherapist and business owner for over a decade has taught me a lot about the complexities of workplace health and safety. Early on, I found myself at the tail end of the process, helping individuals recover from injuries and return to work. This often meant dealing with issues that could have been avoided in the first place. It was clear to me that preventing these problems before they start was far more effective than managing them after they occur.
That realisation led me to discover FitWorker360 - a solution that has completely transformed how businesses approach hiring. In this blog, I’ll delve into why traditional hiring methods might be costing you more than you realise and how adopting a data-driven approach can revolutionise your hiring process.
The Shortcomings of Traditional Screening Methods
Traditional pre-employment screening methods often focus on physical capability tests and rely heavily on gut feelings during interviews. These methods, while useful in assessing a candidate’s physical ability, don’t provide a complete picture. They fail to address critical factors such as a candidate’s mental resilience, behavioural traits, and overall fit for the company culture.
The process typically involves a series of steps:
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Physical Capability Tests: Assessing whether a candidate can handle the physical demands of the job.
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Interviews: Relying on subjective impressions to gauge a candidate’s suitability.
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Reference Checks: Calling references provided by the candidate, which may not always be reliable.
While these steps are designed to filter out unqualified candidates, they often miss the mark on deeper issues that can impact job performance and long-term success. For example, a candidate might pass a physical test and impress in an interview, but if they aren’t a good cultural fit or have underlying mental health challenges, the risks become evident only after they’re hired.
The Hidden Costs of Traditional Methods
One of the significant downsides of traditional hiring methods is the hidden cost of poor hires. When a candidate who isn’t a good fit is employed, it can lead to:
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High Turnover Rates: Frequent turnover is costly, both in terms of the direct costs of recruiting and training new employees and the indirect costs related to lost productivity and decreased morale.
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Increased Workers’ Compensation Claims: Without a thorough assessment, businesses may inadvertently hire individuals with a history of injuries or those at higher risk of future claims, leading to increased workers’ compensation premiums.
Studies indicate that one in three workplace injury claims result from reactivating a previous injury. Traditional screening methods often overlook this critical factor, leaving businesses vulnerable to unexpected costs and risks.
How FitWorker360 Addresses These Challenges
A Comprehensive, Data-Driven Approach
FitWorker360 offers a complete solution to the limitations of traditional hiring methods. Our platform provides a comprehensive, data-driven approach that evaluates candidates on multiple dimensions:
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Physical Capabilities: We still assess physical abilities, but this is just one part of the overall evaluation.
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Mental and Behavioural Fit: Our assessments include a detailed analysis of a candidate’s mental resilience, behavioural traits, and overall fit for the role and company culture.
The process is straightforward: the platform allows our clients to upload job roles to the portal, where candidates complete a thorough assessment evaluating their physical, mental, and behavioural suitability for the role.
If necessary, candidates can be triaged to a 100% online physical assessment.
With an average turnaround time of just 22 hours, our assessments provide quick and actionable insights. These assessments can be completed from anywhere in Australia and New Zealand, ensuring that geographical constraints don’t impact your hiring decisions.
Real-World Impact: Success Stories
The effectiveness of FitWorker360’s approach is best demonstrated through real-world success stories. For instance, our client, the largest not-for-profit hospital in New South Wales, implemented FitWorker360 in their hiring process.
The results were impressive:
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50% Reduction in Workers’ Compensation Premiums: By using our data-driven assessments, the hospital significantly reduced its insurance premiums.
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55% Reduction in Lost Time Injury Rate (LTIR): Over five years, the hospital saw a dramatic decrease in their LTIR, improving overall workplace safety and reducing costs associated with workplace injuries.
These results illustrate how FitWorker360 can make a substantial difference in reducing costs and enhancing workplace safety.
Industries Seeing the Benefits
FitWorker360 has traditionally served the health and aged care sectors. In these industries, where employee wellbeing and safety are paramount, our data-driven approach has been particularly valuable. The ability to assess both physical and mental suitability helps ensure that employees are well-prepared for the demands of their roles, leading to better outcomes for both employees and employers.
Recently, we’ve seen growing interest from the retail and labour sectors. Businesses in these industries are recognizing the value of comprehensive pre-employment assessments in reducing turnover and minimising injury claims. For instance, retail businesses benefit from ensuring that their employees can handle the physical demands of the job while also fitting well with the fast-paced, customer-focused environment.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Workplace Safety
The future of pre-employment screening is undoubtedly tied to managing psychosocial hazards in the workplace. At the WHS Show in Melbourne, we saw a significant increase in interest from organizations seeking to meet their obligations in this area. Psychosocial hazards, such as workplace stress and mental health challenges, are becoming increasingly recognized as critical factors in employee wellbeing and overall workplace safety.
FitWorker360 is committed to staying ahead of the curve by offering assessments that not only evaluate a candidate’s ability to perform the job but also identify areas where they might need additional support. This proactive approach helps businesses create safer and more supportive work environments.
FitWorker360’s Role in Shaping the Future
As the workplace continues to evolve, FitWorker360 is poised to lead the way in transforming pre-employment screening. By focusing on data-driven assessments and psychosocial hazard management, we’re helping businesses adapt to the changing landscape and build stronger, more resilient teams.
What excites me most about working with FitWorker360 is the opportunity to make a tangible impact on organizations. One of our larger clients saved $900,000 in insurance premiums through our platform. I often think about how these savings can be redirected into employee wellbeing initiatives, innovation, or business growth. It’s incredibly rewarding to see how our work contributes to a more positive and productive workplace.
In summary, transitioning from traditional hiring methods to a data-driven approach is not just a trend - it’s a crucial step in modernizing how we build our teams. FitWorker360 is at the forefront of this shift, providing businesses with the tools they need to make smarter hiring decisions and create safer, more effective workplaces.
I’m thrilled to be heading back to the WHS Show in Sydney for the second time, and I’m especially excited to speak on this topic. Come visit our stand, say hello, and let’s discuss how FitWorker360 can help transform your hiring process. See you there!
For more information on FitWorker360 pre-employment assessments, download our FREE INFO PACK HERE
About the author
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Guy Terkelsen - FitWorker360 See guy speak on the Spotlight Stage 12:40-13:10 23-Oct - How Screening for Psychosocial and Physical Risk Can Lower Costs and Save Time for Your Business |