Fit to work
Article Type: News From: International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, Volume 58, Issue 2
A study published by Harvard Business Review indicated that normal “performance indicators” (education, experience, sex, gender, race, age) are NOT what cause a person to fit their job and become a superior performer with an increase in productivity and a decrease in turnover.
The study (360,000 employees over 20 years in 14 industries) concluded that the factors that cause a person to fit their job are how well the respective person matches the needs of each job with regards to: mental capabilities,behavioural traits and occupational interests.
Since the capabilities of top performers CAN be measured with regards to learning, behaviour and interests in any job, a job pattern can be established that indicates what the job requires. Once the pattern is established, potential candidates (or struggling incumbents) can be compared to the pattern to determine job match.
If a high job match is present, productivity goes up and turnover goes down because the employees fit their jobs.
If a low job match is present, productivity goes down and turnover goes up because employees can’t do the job (mental), can’t do the job the right way (behaviour), or won’t do the job (lack of interest).
