NCJ Number
59947
Journal
Security Management Volume: 23 Issue: 7 Dated: (JULY 1979) Pages: 27-30
Date Published
1979
Length
4 pages
Annotation
AN EMPIRICAL VIEW OF THE FREQUENCY AND PURPOSES OF POLYGRAPH TESTING BY U.S. CORPORATIONS IS PRESENTED TO UPDATE THE ESTIMATES AND CONJECTURES WHICH SURROUND POLYGRAPH USE.
Abstract
THE POLYGRAPH HAS BECOME A COMMON MEANS OF PERSONNEL SELECTION IN PRIVATE INDUSTRY BECAUSE OF ITS LOW OPERATING COST AND THE SPEED WITH WHICH IT CAN OBTAIN RESULTS COMPARED TO OTHER METHODS OF BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION. OPPONENTS OF POLYGRAPH USE, HOWEVER, STRESS THAT THE TECHNIQUE MAY BE AN INVASION OF PRIVACY, AND THAT THE RESULTS MAY NOT BE VALID. MANY STATES HAVE ENACTED LAWS WHICH PROHIBIT OR RESTRICT POLYGRAPH USE IN EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES. IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT AND MANNER OF POLYGRAPH USE AMONG MAJOR CORPORATIONS, A QUESTIONNAIRE WAS MAILED TO PERSONNEL DIRECTORS OF 400 MAJOR COMPANIES. RESPONSES FROM 143 COMPANIES INDICATE THAT 20.3 PERCENT OF THE RESPONDENTS USE THE POLYGRAPH. MOST EXAMINATIONS (89.6 PERCENT) ARE CONDUCTED DURING THE INVESTIGATION OF THEFTS OR OTHER IRREGULARITIES. OTHER USES INCLUDE THE VERIFICATION OF EMPLOYMENT APPLICATIONS AND THE PERIODIC CHECKING OF EMPLOYEE HONESTY. ANALYSIS OF RESPONSES FROM RETAILERS AND BANKS WHICH MOST FREQUENTLY USE THE POLYGRAPH INDICATES THAT A SIGNIFICANTLY GREATER PROPORTION OF FIRMS IN STATES WHICH HAVE LICENCING STATUTES USE THE POLYGRAPH THAN DO FIRMS WHICH ARE LOCATED IN STATES WITHOUT SUCH CONTROLS. STATE REQUIREMENTS, AND THE CONCURRENT EXPERTISE OF THE EXAMINERS, MAY CONTRIBUTE TO THE EMPLOYER'S CONFIDENCE IN POLYGRAPHS. TABULAR DATA AND REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (TWK)