Periodic Polygraph Exams for Employment

A “Periodic” Lie Detector Test, also referred to as a Personnel Evaluation Exam, is an exam given to an employee to verify that employee’s ongoing honesty and integrity in connection with his/her employment.  These exams are often administered on a regular basis to employees, such as every 6 or 12 months, but can also be randomly given to employees.  Since the passing of the Federal Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA) in 1988, the United States no longer permits this type of testing.  In other countries, there is no such restriction.  Unless the employment laws and regulations prohibit polygraph testing in that country, these types of exams are generally permissible.

When Periodic Polygraph testing is scheduled correctly, the questions on these types of exams usually cover the time frame from the previous polygraph to the present, although new hires will only see questions going back to their date of hire.  Unlike a pre-employment lie detector, these exams focus only on the employee’s actions since they were employed.  Past issues are not usually addressed, unless these issues create a current conflict at work.

WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE?

  1. The Examiner meets with the Client to discuss the primary concerns with employees and to narrow down the relevant questions to the four most important issues to address with the exam (see sample list below).
  2. The final relevant questions are agreed upon.
  3. At the exam itself, the Examiner will have all relevant paperwork completed by the Employee.
  4. The Examiner will explain the procedure to the Employee.
  5. The Examiner will interview the Employee about the issues of concern to the Client.  
  6. The Examiner will review all the proposed test questions with the Employee, who is given a final opportunity to explain any issues with those questions.
  7. The exam is administered.
  8. At the Client’s option, the Examiner may discuss any adverse test results with the Employee to extract additional information.
  9. The Client is provided the test results.
  10. Note that the exam process can take 1.5 to 2.5 hours depending on the depth of the interview and physiological factors.  Use of an interpreter will require additional time.

Some typical areas of questioning for Periodic Lie Detector tests include:

  • Employee Theft
  • Embezzlement
  • Failing to perform specific job duties
  • Stealing clients
  • Stealing client lists
  • Selling client lists
  • Stealing or passing on company secrets
  • Using drugs while working
  • Using alcohol while working
  • Falsifying incident reports
  • Failing to report incidents
  • Falsifying progress reports
  • Falsifying expense reports
  • Actions that could be used for blackmail
  • Destruction of company property
  • Misuse of company property
  • Working for competitors
  • Accepting bribes
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