Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI) Practice Exam

Under what conditions should you recommend that an employer require an employee to take a polygraph test?

1. If you believe an employee is under the influence of a drug at work

2. If you believe the controller embezzled funds

3. If an employee accuses another employee of violent behavior

4. Never, because polygraph tests are unlawful.

The correct answer is: If you believe the controller embezzled funds

Recommending that an employer require an employee to take a polygraph test is appropriate especially in circumstances where there is a specific suspicion of wrongdoing, such as embezzlement. In the case where there are reasonable grounds to suspect that the controller has engaged in financial misconduct, a polygraph test may be considered a tool to investigate the issue further. Polygraph tests can serve as a means to gather additional insights that may support or refute the suspicion of theft or fraud. However, it is important to note that the use of polygraph tests is regulated under the Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA) in the United States, which limits the conditions under which these tests can be administered. They are primarily permitted in specific cases related to ongoing investigations of economic loss or injury, particularly when there is a reasonable suspicion of employee wrongdoing. Unlike the other scenarios presented, which may not align with the legal framework or appropriate use of polygraphs, the suspicion of embezzlement is a context in which stakeholders might consider utilizing a polygraph examination as part of their investigative process.