Title: Firms wise up to Scientology.
Subject(s): SILHOUET UK (Company); WORLD Institution of Scientology Enterprises (Organization); SCIENTOLOGY; PSYCHOMETRICS Source: People Management, 8/30/2001, Vol. 7 Issue 17, p6, 1/2p

Author(s): Roberts, Zoe
Abstract: Reports on a complaint from a reader who had received a letter from Silhouet UK, a psychometric testing organization, inviting the recipient to complete an enclosed test questionnaire as a free introductory service. How the reader developed his suspicion about the group's links to scientology; Information provided by the World Institution of Scientology Enterprises Web site about the organization; Concern over the failure of Silhouet to make its clear links.

AN: 5328813
ISSN: 1358-6297
Full Text Word Count: 529
Database: MasterFILE Premier
Section: NEWS

PSYCHOMETRIC TESTING

FIRMS WISE UP TO SCIENTOLOGY

HR professionals have been warned to watch out for a mailshot from a psychometric testing organisation that fails to make clear its links to Scientology.

People Management followed up a complaint from a reader who had received a letter from Silhouet UK inviting the recipient to complete an enclosed test questionnaire as a "free introductory service". The reader became suspicious after noticing the copyright on the test was for L Ron Hubbard, the founder of the controversial religious group.

The letter also claimed that the company had "over 10 years' experience throughout Scandinavia, with companies such as Volvo, Thomas Cook, Goodyear and Castrol".

None of the central recruitment offices of these companies was able to confirm that they had used Silhouet to assess people. Goodyear stated that it had never heard of the group.

When contacted, Peter Buch of Silhouet UK claimed the company was a "small family-run business with no links to Scientology. We are simply using the L Ron Hubbard test because of its value as a management tool," he said. But Patrick Peperstraete, a consultant at the Dutch branch of Silhouet confirmed that, like its sister companies in Denmark and Sweden, Silhouet UK is a member of the World Institution of Scientology Enterprises (Wise).

According to Wise's web site, it is a not-for-profit organisation whose members believe the "same administrative policies used to expand Scientology organisations may also be used to expand any organisation".

The introductory letter sent by Silhouet UK does not mention that the company is a member of Wise or that it is working with Scientologist principles.

Robin Chater, secretary-general of the Federation of European Employers, expressed concern over Silhouet UK's failure to make clear its links.

"Participants should certainly be informed that the personal information they are providing will be analysed by a company involved in promoting Scientologist principles," he said.

Angela Baron, CIPD adviser, employee resourcing, said the institute "recommended that companies use only tests for which adequate data is available to prove its validity and reliability. Managers should ask questions to check the test is measuring the things it purports to measure"

Nominations for the successor to Jimmy Knapp, the late leader of the Rail Maritime and Transport Union, are expected next week. Knapp, who played a key role in the modernisation of Britain's trade union movement, died this month aged 60 following a year-long battle with cancer. Contenders for his replacement include Bob Crow, the left-winger who led this year's strikes on London Underground and South West Trains; moderate Phil Bialyk, south-west regional negotiator; and Ken Usher, a Midlands-based official. Knapp's career spanned 30 years, and TUC general secretary John Monks described him as one of the outstanding union leaders of the generation. "He rose to prominence in national life, but remained close to trade unionists in the workplace and the regions," Monks said. "He was passionate about the role of unions in giving workers access to education and skills.

The quiet revolution that is now going on in the workplace, and especially in learning, owes much to his efforts."

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By Zoe Roberts

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