Heya, 

Sorry if this topic has been addressed elsewhere, but I couldn't find anything about it.  Does anyone know if private companies (such as commercial or investment banks, or consultancies) in the UK are allowed to require pre-employment polygraph tests?  I ask because I may have to take one before I begin working, and because of my current stress levels (doing an accelerated degree programme and job interviewing all over the place), I'm fairly certain that my responses will be all over the place.  Also, are such companies allowed to ask you personal questions to establish a "baseline", or must they restrict themselves solely to questions that establish your suitability for employment?   

For personal (pride) reasons, I don't plan to submit to a polygraph test should the company demand I take one, but by the same token, I don't want to shoot myself in the foot regarding my post-college career.  Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Be careful EosJupiter.  Some VERY good sources tell me that polygraph is illegal in the UK for pre-employment screening and in all criminal investigations except select cases involving convicted sex offenders (the worst ones).  I know you don't like polygraph examiners and I especially know you don't like me.  I respect that, but I will bet you my last "Pound Sterling" that this guy's a major "Kiddy Slimer" looking for a way out, or perhaps a "free ride" on the bones of a 12 year old.

Just a word of warning...

Nonombre

NoNombre,

First & formost, my dislike is for Employment (pre & post) polygraphy and not you. What ever I say and do is not personal, towards you. And never assume it is. I respect LEO's and all that they represent, with the exception of employment polygraph interrogations. Now if I happen upon an article where a LEO has gone bad. And there are always bad apples in very endeavor, then if the polygraph is involved  then something about its accuracy needs to be addressed. My stated reasoning is anything less than 100% accuracy, especially where a persons veracity, reputation, and honor is at stake, then that particular process needs to be removed or changed. Too many of my people where branded by the polygraph as liars. Lost there clearances and were eventually reassigned to really bad jobs, that no one else would do or want. Is it fair to take a bright kid, who for lack of anything else was very nervious and naive, and destroy a promising career. The problem with what went on, was the polygraphers word was the final word, and there was not even a chance to counter it. After about my 10th loss of people, I started digging on the polygraph and my research led me to the conclusions I have today. AntiPolygraph.org just put everything I ever learned into a vehicle that people can use, when victimized by unscrupulous examiners. If you are fair and impartial and professional then continue with the polygraph. I don't have an issue with polygraphy in Law Enforcement, especially if it keeps a scumbag pedophile either incarcerated or in tow, or used for valid criminal investigations. But pre-employment polygraphy is wrong, a solid, exhaustive, and thorough BI is the right answer. But these BI are expensive, and time consuming. Hence the reliance on Psych / Poly Exams. They are faster and cheaper than doing the right thing. Likewise every five or so years being submitted to another interrogation by the feds, this is equally wrong, as it was set inplace by the kneejerk reaction to the Hansons, Walkers, and Ames cases. And from recent FBI issues doesn't seem to catch too many spies. Real spies don't care about the polygraph anyways. So why are we doing them, with the exception they are cheaper and faster.  Its away for bureaucrats to cover there ass and lay blame if another security breach happens. 

I value valid discussion and debate. If you come here and are willing to see our side of the coin, then I will never have an issue with your posts. Likewise I will always listen to opposing views, as there might be something I can learn.

Now for this post, there was not anything on English Law with the exception that US laws are all based on English common law. I didn't have time to get into the international law area today.

And believe it or not, I appreciate the warning. Can't help this person anyways. And if he is a pedophile, then I hope they nail him to the cross. I on purpose stay away from the other threads having to do with anything where law breakers are concerned. 

And the correction on Polygraphs used above is good !!!

Regards ....

Londoner

Read the posts again. It was nonombre (a polygoofer)who made the accusation not EosJupiter. Nonombre seems to practicing for a political office. He won't answer tough questions. The ones to which he does respond are waffle jobs.

I have read here where a couple of polygraphers stated that they would never give a poly test to anyone on psychotropic medications. The reason is - those medications prevent dependable results. Punitive polygraphers would give the test if the subject was dogass drunk.

Londoner,

This from the CID examiners manual. On who is eligible to take a polygraph. I would assume that the same rules apply for examiners in the UK. Best I got. And I would never imply you to be a pedophile. I understand you just typed the statement in the wrong place.

Hope this helps: Excerpt from, US ARMY CID, 

FORENSIC PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGICAL DETECTION OF DECEPTION 
(PDD) POLICY AND PROCEDURE MANUAL 

Page 44 of 91 
8.11 Physical/Emotional Status of Examinees 
 
Ensure  a  potential  examinee  is  both  physically  and  emotionally  fit  for  PDD  testing.   
Normally  this  information  should  be  obtained  and  evaluated  during  the  pre-instrument 
phase  of  the  examination  and  noted  in  the  PDD  Administrative  Worksheet.    Question 
examinees concerning their present physical state.    Ascertain  if  female  examinees  are 
pregnant, and the stage of their pregnancy however, refrain from asking if they are “on 
their  period”  or  menstruating.    The  below  questions will elicit the same information.   
Examinees  who  take  PDD  examinations  and  subsequently  make  admissions  or 
confessions will often allege they were unfit for testing, sick, tired, in pain or under the 
influence of medications, drugs or alcohol.  Use questions such as: 
... Are you in good health? 
... Are you in any pain or discomfort? 

Page 45 of 91 
... Are you presently under the care of or have you recently seen a medical professional 
for any physical or emotional problem? 
... Are you presently taking a prescription or non-prescription medications or drugs? 
... Are you pregnant? 
... Do you have any respiratory or cardiovascular problems you are aware of? 
... How many hours do you normally sleep each night? 
... How many hours did you sleep last night? 
... Did you consume any alcoholic beverages in the past 24 hours? How much? 
...  Are  you  experiencing  any  intermittent  cramps,  pains  or  aches  as  a  result  of  any 
condition you haven't told me about? 
 
8.12 Examinee Suitability 
 
In  those  instances  when  the  examinee  is  undergoing  treatment  by  a  medical  or  mental 
health professional, coordination with the attending medical or mental health professional 
is essential to evaluate the examinee’s overall suitability and to obtain medical clearance 
to conduct PDD testing.   This form of coordination is also necessary to ensure that PDD 
testing does not interfere with ongoing treatment efforts and to prevent PDD testing of an 
otherwise unsuitable examinee.   
 
Psychological Suitability:  Polygraph testing of an examinee receiving current, on-going 
treatment  and/or  prescribed  medication  by  mental health professionals  (psychiatrist, 
psychologist,  mental  health  counselors  or  other mental health professionals) shall be 
discontinued  or  postponed  until  the  examinee’s  attending  mental  health  professional 
declares the individual suitable for PDD testing.  Verbal authorization from the attending 
mental health professional is permitted, but should be the exception and not the rule.  In 
instances where the examinee cites mental health related illnesses associated with severe 
depression  or  other  severe  illnesses,  written  authorization  from  the  attending  mental 
health  professional  is  mandatory.  Any questions concerning an examinee’s 
psychological suitability for PDD testing must be addressed with  the  attending  mental 
health professional and/or a CRC supervisor prior to PDD testing. 
 
Physiological Suitability:  Polygraph testing of an examinee being treated and/or 
prescribed medication by medical professionals (doctors, physician assistants, nurses, or 
other medical specialist) for significant injuries or illnesses shall be postponed until the 
examinee’s  attending  medical  professional  declares  the  individual  suitable  for  PDD 
testing.  Verbal authorization from the attending medical health professional is permitted, 
but should be the exception and not the rule.  In instances where  the  examinee  cites 
severe medical illnesses, written authorization from the attending medical professional is 
mandatory.  Any questions concerning an examinee’s physiological suitability for PDD 
testing  must  be  addressed  with  the  attending medical professional  and/or  a  CRC 
supervisor prior to PDD testing.   

Regards ....