Complaint Review: Labor Ready - Seattle Washington

I was working part time at a relatives shop and stopped by Labor Ready to see if they were hiring and for what kind of jobs.  I was told that I needed to apply before they could answer my question.

I had about half an hour or so before I needed to get to my job and so filled out an application.  I was then told that I would have to take Ze Test.  It was maybe 50 reworded questions about honesty, violence, and drug use that I remember. 

About half way through the test of the same reworded questions and in different order on the screen for "Never do that" to "Always do that" I think towards the end of the test at the point where I was trying to get through with it before it put me to sleep, that I checked "I always like to pick fights with people" instead of "I never like to start fights with people", but as soon as you check the box you go to the next screen and the program won't allow you to go back and change anything.

I told the person working there that I wasn't sure what I checked for that question but he said it didn't matter because I wasn't allowed to change it and also that I had failed the test and goodby.

Maybe the guy was just trying to help out though.  People hanging out there waiting for work didn't seem like people I would be that enthused about working with and shortly after I got work that I think I would have been happier with then anything I would have maybe got through Labor Ready.

Hi Jon,

I too was rejected and cannot retest for a year. I have always been a pretty honest person. I believe in Karma and stealing was not worth my job. I have not taken a drop of alcohol or taken any drugs not prescribed for over a year. I feel your frustration. 

 Jess

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I failed the Labor Ready test.  Labor Works (Seattle) has started to implement it as well.  I failed it again.  Why is it necessary?  I have a degree.  I am very honest.   Is it not ironic that these day companies employ a large percentage of ex-cons, who cannot get another gig?  I always thought I was too good for Labor Ready and Labor Works.  Now I know for sure.  I won't be giving those personality tests another gamble.  I'm happy for the sociopaths who do know how to pass these types of personality tests.  Sociopaths and felons need jobs too.

I went to this place yesterday and took the test and failed. I answered all the questions honestly. I don't steal,smoke,drink fight,or take drugs..Anymore. I'm in a 12 step program coming up on a year. Integrity and honesty is how I live my life now. So when they told me I failed this test and  couldn't tell me why I was bewildered. I have to wait 12 months to retest. I thought the test was easy,just be honest and you should pass,NOT.. I'm not sure what kind of people they want to put to work,but I think I'm better off looking for work myself. I do not recommend this place. 

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Ok first of all I have to say, I used to work for this company USED TO.  THEY DO KNOW ABOUT THE TEST.  Corp office is the one who implemented this "honesty test".  If you read the test and take your time then yes you can pass it.  If you are in a hurry and just want to get finished and do not thoroughly read the questions you will fail.  I know this sounds harsh but that is one thing I do stand behind at labor ready.  I do not stand behind a lot of their practices with management but this I do stand behind. As a former Customer service rep I have turned away hundreds of people because when you come in to apply WE TELL PEOPLE 2hours for application process. Yes they hire drunks drug addicts and felons. But everyone deserves a second chance and its exactly what it means when it says DAY LABOR. They work at plants, construction sights, road crews, unless they have a warrant out for them we do not report they are such. Labor Ready gives those people a chance.  For as much as I despise them firing me while I was on FMLA  they are just trying to give people down on their luck a chance.  Now if you want something better check out one of the other companies they have because they have skilled labor offices that don't hire such people.

I had to wait 2 weeks for their stupid test!! watched a young man before me take it. when they told him he did not pass. I did not think too much about it. as I have been in the construction business for over 30 yrs.
but when they told me I failed. I said "whoa!!!  are you telling me that they are looking for a drug addict that steals and likes to fight?  because that is what you are suggesting from the questions. or is it because I am a girl??? which is it?
all she could answer was I don't know I just work here. (really hire quality people)
when I told my friend what happened she said our company uses them. well I told her she should tell her boss what kind of employees they are looking for.
just on a hunch I googled this subject to find other people this is happened to. what the hell is going on???

Darren, you're entitled to your opinion. If you are a regular on this site, by all means, continue to come back. I found this site only a couple of weeks ago. But, I see that no matter what you post as a suggestion, it will make little or no difference. It seems like only 1 out of 100 people come here before they suffer a loss. The other 99 report on how they were taken. No matter what you say or do, when you check back the following day, there are 100 new victims. Most losing to the same old tired cons as the preceeding months. I'm a results-oriented individual. How can anyone come here and put a stop to this fraud? You can't. It would be easier to bail out the ocean with a teacup. So, what's left? All the regular participants can do is come here and read about others who have suffered theft, aggravation, and broken dreams. It's kind of depressing, really. Who wants to see people being taken advantage of? As I said, the most frustrating part is sitting here, powerless to change anything. No matter what constructive comment I make, tomorrow will bring a new crop of victims with the same old problems. So, Darren, if you can find something usefull here, by all means, return. Besides, almost anything you say will draw some kind of negative comment from someone. Ignore the bad and focus on the positive. The one thing I did get by coming here is the knowledge of how many people are looking for additional income, but aren't able to figure out anything on their own. I can see an opportunity here to provide these people with real information. Not only what to do. But also, what not to do. That's how I intend to stop some of the fraud that is reported here. I intend to appeal to the potential victims with low cost products that will explain how to reach their goals, instead of letting them get taken by crooks who only intend to rob them.

Darren, you're entitled to your opinion. If you are a regular on this site, by all means, continue to come back. I found this site only a couple of weeks ago. But, I see that no matter what you post as a suggestion, it will make little or no difference. It seems like only 1 out of 100 people come here before they suffer a loss. The other 99 report on how they were taken. No matter what you say or do, when you check back the following day, there are 100 new victims. Most losing to the same old tired cons as the preceeding months. I'm a results-oriented individual. How can anyone come here and put a stop to this fraud? You can't. It would be easier to bail out the ocean with a teacup. So, what's left? All the regular participants can do is come here and read about others who have suffered theft, aggravation, and broken dreams. It's kind of depressing, really. Who wants to see people being taken advantage of? As I said, the most frustrating part is sitting here, powerless to change anything. No matter what constructive comment I make, tomorrow will bring a new crop of victims with the same old problems. So, Darren, if you can find something usefull here, by all means, return. Besides, almost anything you say will draw some kind of negative comment from someone. Ignore the bad and focus on the positive. The one thing I did get by coming here is the knowledge of how many people are looking for additional income, but aren't able to figure out anything on their own. I can see an opportunity here to provide these people with real information. Not only what to do. But also, what not to do. That's how I intend to stop some of the fraud that is reported here. I intend to appeal to the potential victims with low cost products that will explain how to reach their goals, instead of letting them get taken by crooks who only intend to rob them.

Darren, you're entitled to your opinion. If you are a regular on this site, by all means, continue to come back. I found this site only a couple of weeks ago. But, I see that no matter what you post as a suggestion, it will make little or no difference. It seems like only 1 out of 100 people come here before they suffer a loss. The other 99 report on how they were taken. No matter what you say or do, when you check back the following day, there are 100 new victims. Most losing to the same old tired cons as the preceeding months. I'm a results-oriented individual. How can anyone come here and put a stop to this fraud? You can't. It would be easier to bail out the ocean with a teacup. So, what's left? All the regular participants can do is come here and read about others who have suffered theft, aggravation, and broken dreams. It's kind of depressing, really. Who wants to see people being taken advantage of? As I said, the most frustrating part is sitting here, powerless to change anything. No matter what constructive comment I make, tomorrow will bring a new crop of victims with the same old problems. So, Darren, if you can find something usefull here, by all means, return. Besides, almost anything you say will draw some kind of negative comment from someone. Ignore the bad and focus on the positive. The one thing I did get by coming here is the knowledge of how many people are looking for additional income, but aren't able to figure out anything on their own. I can see an opportunity here to provide these people with real information. Not only what to do. But also, what not to do. That's how I intend to stop some of the fraud that is reported here. I intend to appeal to the potential victims with low cost products that will explain how to reach their goals, instead of letting them get taken by crooks who only intend to rob them.

Darren, you're entitled to your opinion. If you are a regular on this site, by all means, continue to come back. I found this site only a couple of weeks ago. But, I see that no matter what you post as a suggestion, it will make little or no difference. It seems like only 1 out of 100 people come here before they suffer a loss. The other 99 report on how they were taken. No matter what you say or do, when you check back the following day, there are 100 new victims. Most losing to the same old tired cons as the preceeding months. I'm a results-oriented individual. How can anyone come here and put a stop to this fraud? You can't. It would be easier to bail out the ocean with a teacup. So, what's left? All the regular participants can do is come here and read about others who have suffered theft, aggravation, and broken dreams. It's kind of depressing, really. Who wants to see people being taken advantage of? As I said, the most frustrating part is sitting here, powerless to change anything. No matter what constructive comment I make, tomorrow will bring a new crop of victims with the same old problems. So, Darren, if you can find something usefull here, by all means, return. Besides, almost anything you say will draw some kind of negative comment from someone. Ignore the bad and focus on the positive. The one thing I did get by coming here is the knowledge of how many people are looking for additional income, but aren't able to figure out anything on their own. I can see an opportunity here to provide these people with real information. Not only what to do. But also, what not to do. That's how I intend to stop some of the fraud that is reported here. I intend to appeal to the potential victims with low cost products that will explain how to reach their goals, instead of letting them get taken by crooks who only intend to rob them.

Thanks Pat, Gee, I almost missed their comments until I saw your's. It would have been a shame to have them slam me and me to not even know it. Especially when we are agreeing but it isn't the message, it is the messanger. As far as my posts here, I will go pro-reporter or pro-compay depending on what is presented here. It is a public forum open to people who have comments or suggestions. Whether they have good time management or not. People are free to rebut or ignore. Since there really wasn't a rebuttal there then I chose the seond option.

Chris and Mary, There is no need for attacking Darren. He, along with several others, are regular posters on ROR, myself included. So far I have found the majority of his posts to be helpful and constructive. Did you not understand his comments? He is agreeing to the ridiculous use of the profile tests. Plus, when did he ever say he was a Consumer Expert? And if you knew more about him, you would know why he has time to sit and read through these reports. His comments were no more inane than Paul's. Are you going to tell Paul to go blog somewhere too? I used to work for Universal Studios Orlando. I ran the Security check-in for the insurance company while Islands of Adventure was under construction. My job was to document and ID badge all new construction workers on the jobsite. The majority of these workers were from the day labor companies, the most of which were from Labor Ready. Seems to me that they only took the lowest class of applicants. Maybe they didn't want anyone of intelligence so they wouldn't figure out how much money LR was making off them. Money that they could have easily kept had they just applied for a regular position with the actual construction company.

To: Chris from Reading Thank you for saying what alot of people are thinking.

Thanks Cory! Your comments hit the nail on the head. I have known the nicest people fail these test; I must be one. I have also worked with the biggest thieves in the world too. If was to be stolen it will get stolen! I have seen it happen at Boeing and other places that I have worked. For example: I have seen 2 Costco packs of paper towels disappear in less than a week for 2 bathrooms and a small kitchen. This was at a small company that I worked for and only had total of 9 people! I also knew who stole all of the towels too! It was accounting guy! He was also stealing the tools too. That they had to contanstly replace too. I wonder what else he was stealing too! Thanks for the comment! I wonder why companies use these the tests for? To weed out the good people so that they can have the bad ones? The person that sold company the test must have promised the moon and more them. Then they chase away the good ones. thanks

This Consumer Expert Darren guy is wearing a little thin here. Dude, go to a chat board and type in your inane comments. I try to scour ROR for useful information and run into "Darren" and "Reid" who obviously have WAY too much time on their hands. Go blog somewhere...

Back in the old days, when I had to deal with such crap those test use to be referred to as an "honesty" test. They'd ask a bunch of silly seemingly innnocuous questions. Questions like, if you found a penny, or if a co-worker did such and such. They'd even reword the same question backward or foreward. If there was any deviation from the "norm" the test would indicate that that person had perpensity for dishonesty. It was a load. Over the years, I found some of the people who did so well, were some of the biggest thieves and some who didn't pass were the nicest, most honest people I ever met. The "test" was sometimes used to eliminate those "people" they didn't wish to hire. Something about a personality profile. Where have I heard the term "profile" lately.

Let's see, we have urine testing and personality testing. Metal detectors bombarding us with who-knows-what rays. Today, I just heard that airlines are up to removing shoes and jackets and sweaters now. How long before it comes down to underwear? When do the brain scans start? I'm glad to be 46 now. That means i'll die before they get around to the subdermal implants and the invisible ink tatoo barcodes. Hopefully! I'm sure they are already developed and just waiting for the green light on the install. Better living through technology? What a crock!

Their testing was done on a little computer box that looks like a credit card scanner. They gave you a test booklet and you had 30 minutes to complete. I do not remember how many; but, I think it was about 50 questions. You enter the answers in the on the box. It was downloaded into a computer and then gave the pass or fail. It also had your SSN, name and address too. So much for privacy! I did pass one for Verizon and it was almost like labor ready's test. Any other thoughts about the Test? Thanks

Thanks Paul, yes you are right I did answer never to all of the questions. because i thought that they digging into my privatcey. I did find a another agency like Labor Ready only better and no stupid questions. Plus they treat you better too. It is also local here in the area. I do have seasonal job that pays really good too thanks

Don't yah just love that stuff? It has absolutely nothing to do with anything. Except for the people who write them making money and the people who use them able to prove that they used "due dilligence" in hiring. In other words... garbage. Garbage in, garbage out. Probably what happened is someone was too unwilling to admit to the small things that everyone does. Therefore it is seen as being decpetive because a person won't even admit to those things that they know we would do or have done. (i.e., giving the answers expected rather than the truth.) Also, you need to look for the same type of question asked different ways. Consistency between the types of questions is looked at. Are they relevant and worth the paper that they are printed on? I really doubt it. Like I said, it is nothing more than their pretending to themselves and others that they are being responsible. Good Luck,

Jon, I have never taken a Labor Ready test, but I know what you are describing. The problem isn't with Labor Ready. All they want to do is connect an employer with an employee and make a buck in the middle. The real problem is with some idiot who developed a personality test. The company who made this test went around and convinced people that they can spot all the problems before anyone ever gets hired. Unfortunately, these personality tests don't actually predict much of anything at all. Usually the tests ask stupid questions that really don't seem to make much sense. When was the last time you had sex with an animal? How many times have you stolen something from an employer? How often do you beat your wife? You can't say never, because you will fail the test. They assume that everybody is a crook and has some dirty little secret to hide. So, if you don't fess up to something, you are called a liar. I reccomend that you walk away from Labor Ready. Nobody owes you a job. If they are that stupid that they believe the rediculous tests, do you really want them to make a buck off your labor? I think not. When all the potential employees fail the test, Labor Ready won't be able to send anyone out to a job. Then, they go out of business. Simple as that. Find a real job. Don't let a temp agency make a buck off your time. You lose enough in taxes. Why give up any more of your hard-earned money? Besides, do you really have the rest of your life to devote to a lawsuit? There are idiots everywhere you look. Don't waste all of your time trying to change them. Life is too short for that. Good luck!

I have talked to other people and they have failed labor ready's test too. They are just honest hard working people. They do not know why they failed. I suggested a class action lawsuit against labor ready (they are allready have several pending). They said interesting. Any body have any info about the test or any other info. maybe a former employee's have any insight? Thanks