Employee Polygraph Protection Act
Encyclopedia
The Employee Polygraph Protection Act of 1988 (EPPA) in a United States federal law that generally prevents employers from using polygraph
(lie detector) tests, either for pre-employment screening or during the course of employment, with certain exemptions.
Under EPPA, most private employers may not require or request any employee or job applicant to take a lie detector test, or discharge, discipline, or discriminate against an employee or job applicant for refusing to take a test or for exercising other rights under the Act. The Act does permits polygraph tests to be administered to certain applicants for job with security
firms (such as armored car
, alarm
, and guard companies) and of pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors, and dispensers. The law does not cover federal
, state, and local government
agencies.
In addition, employers are required to display a poster in the workplace explaining the EPPA for their employees.
Polygraph
A polygraph measures and records several physiological indices such as blood pressure, pulse, respiration, and skin conductivity while the subject is asked and answers a series of questions...
(lie detector) tests, either for pre-employment screening or during the course of employment, with certain exemptions.
Under EPPA, most private employers may not require or request any employee or job applicant to take a lie detector test, or discharge, discipline, or discriminate against an employee or job applicant for refusing to take a test or for exercising other rights under the Act. The Act does permits polygraph tests to be administered to certain applicants for job with security
Security guard
A security guard is a person who is paid to protect property, assets, or people. Security guards are usually privately and formally employed personnel...
firms (such as armored car
Armored car (valuables)
A common meaning of armored car is as an armored van or truck, used in transporting valuables, such as large quantities of money . The armored car is a multifunctional vehicle designed to protect and ensure the well being of the transported individuals and/or contents...
, alarm
Alarm
An alarm device or system of alarm devices gives an audible or visual alarm signal about a problem or condition.Alarm devices include:* burglar alarms, designed to warn of burglaries; this is often a silent alarm: the police or guards are warned without indication to the burglar, which increases...
, and guard companies) and of pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors, and dispensers. The law does not cover federal
Federal government of the United States
The federal government of the United States is the national government of the constitutional republic of fifty states that is the United States of America. The federal government comprises three distinct branches of government: a legislative, an executive and a judiciary. These branches and...
, state, and local government
Local government in the United States
Local government in the United States is generally structured in accordance with the laws of the various individual states. Typically each state has at least two separate tiers: counties and municipalities. Some states have their counties divided into townships...
agencies.
In addition, employers are required to display a poster in the workplace explaining the EPPA for their employees.