Mishmeres HaSholom: Ask the Rav

Q: At my place of work, it is acceptable to use a graphologist before hiring new workers. Applicants come for an interview and fill in an application in their own handwriting. The graphologist’s analysis then helps us choose a suitable worker. As a department manager, I’d like to know if it is permissible to evaluate the handwriting of an old-timer who, rumors have it, breached her trust.

A: If suspicion was aroused regarding an old worker, and the talk is l’toeles, then it is permissible to send the handwriting to the graphologist and to get advice regarding the employee’s personality traits.

The information must be accepted guardedly, and one may only act on the suspicion in order to avoid damage to the workplace. Also, one must be careful that fellow office workers, who are not involved in hiring or firing, should not be privy to the results of the evaluation so that no harm comes of it.

The questions and answers above were taken from the Mishmeres Hasholom pamphlet in Israel. For details and inquiries please e-mail us at office@hasholom.org or call 972-2 5379160.

The views expressed are of the individual author. Readers are encouraged to consult their own posek for guidance.