Weeding Out Psychopaths

The article, “Weeding Out Psychopaths,” featured on Human Resources Executive Online, discussed how careful hiring procedures can help organizations limit the damage caused by toxic employees in the workplace.

Jim McDonald offered employers advice on how to ensure psychopaths stay away from their workforce.

An obvious first step is to require an applicant to complete a comprehensive written employment application, stressed Jim. Asking a candidate if he or she has been diagnosed with a mental disorder, such as psychopathy, is illegal, he noted.

"People who don't like following rules are going to push back when you ask them to fill out a comprehensive application," said Jim. "They're going to argue with you: 'Why isn't my resume enough? Why do I have to do this?' Because they think they're special. They think they're beyond the rules."

To read the full article, please visit HRE Online.