Algorithmic personality assessment results in bipolar sufferer suicide

Occurred: 2012

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A bipolar disorder sufferer was rejected for low-skilled jobs at multiple companies due to an algorithmic online personality test system, leading to his suicide.

Bipolar disorder sufferer and Vanderbilt University student Kyle Behm was rejected for low-skilled jobs at multiple companies by an algorithmic online personality test system devised and developed by workforce management company Kronos (now UKG) that concluded that he was likely to ignore customers if they were upset or making him upset.ย 

After taking some time off university for medical leave, Behm discovered through a friend that he had been 'red-lighted' by a personality test system supplied by workforce management company Kronos when he had applied for jobs at several companies, including supermarket chain Kroger, Home Depot, Walgreens.

The nature of the rejections persuaded Behm's father, an attorney, to file a lawsuit against Kroger and five other companies for allegedly illegally screening for mental illness. Kyle Behm ended his life before the case went to court.ย 

The incident also resulted in a heated debate about the fairness of workplace personality tests.

System ๐Ÿค–

Operator: Home Depot; Kroger; PetSmart; Walgreens
Developer: UKG/Kronos

Country: USA

Sector: Retail

Purpose: Assess personality

Technology: Personality test system; ย 
Issue: Accountability; Bias/discrimination - disability; Transparency

Page info
Type: Incident
Published: August 2023