Polygraphs

[ahofle]

We just had a reorganization of our IT department where I work.  My new manager is in a department that requires polygraphs for all new employees, and apparently for existing employees working on applications and systems in his area.  He has asked if I had any interest in helping out on these systems, and that a polygraph would be necessary if so.  He has stated over and over that it is completely optional and I could decline if I wanted.  He has also stated that this would ONLY be to enable me to work on these systems and would NOT affect me otherwise, "regardless of the result".  Now I have been doing a bit of research and to say that polygraphs are unscientific interrogation techniques would be an understatement (I seem to be finding that they are between 50 and 60% 'accurate', barely more than chance.  I have also heard about two people in my organization under similar circumstances that took the test and failed (the interrogator did not believe their answers on drug use).  I read the consent form regarding the test and it basically waives all of my rights and claims against my employer regarding anything related to the test, which pretty much contradicts what my manager said (I am raising this as a concern).

My dilema is that I do not want to decline my new manager's polite request to help work on their systems, but at the same time I do not want to jeopardize my career (I have no intentions of leaving and am very happy here) if I somehow 'failed' the polygraph.  I feel like my hesitance here is somehow viewed as self-incriminating (like "what do you have to hide").  This whole situation really sucks and seems as though I could be shooting myself in the foot either way.

Any opinions?

[Jdurg]

I would refuse to take the polygraph, and if that prevents you from having upward movement in the company I would get a lawyer.  A Polygraph test is NOT a scientifically proven test.  Basically, it relies on your physical reaction to certain questions.  If you are lying and you have forced yourself to believe it to be true, your body will react as if it was true and you will easily pass the lie.  On the opposite end, if you are generally nervous when asked questions whether it's true or not, the polygraph would probably state that you are lying.

If anybody was ever fired or lost their job because of a polygraph test alone, they would have a huge lawsuit to file.  In court, polygraphs are considered incredibly circumstantial evidence.  If you have a bunch of witnesses, DNA evidence, and a polygraph, then combined it would be a good case against the defendant.  On its own, a polygraph result is lousy evidence because they are VERY commonly tricked.

[shardian]

Read this:
http://www.dol.gov/compliance/laws/comp-eppa.htm

It will answer any and all questions you have to the legality of the Polygraph and your rights. It sounds like you might be dealing with Gov't intelligence, and thus, Polygraphs are legal.

I always got a kick out of reading the Polygraph protection wall poster, along with all the other law postings when I worked at Kroger.

[ChadTower]

Isn't ahofle an Aussie?

[ahofle]

No I'm American, and yes this is a government job.