The thought of polygraph testing in the workplace may (understandably) fill employees with fear and trepidation. They may be worried that the test will be intrusive or delve too deeply into personal issues.
However, there must always be a genuine reason for a test before an examiner will agree to conduct polygraph testing in the workplace. Quite often this may relate to an economic loss, a theft or fraud for example, where there is an on-going specific investigation taking place. Sometimes there is an official criminal investigation, sometimes the business wishes to resolve the issue internally.
Our experience of polygraph testing in a business environment has been very positive.
Unfortunately, people can find themselves in a position whereby, through no fault of their own, they are under suspicion of a serious crime, and they are unable to prove their innocence. This can cause significant stress for the people under suspicion; it can cause an uncomfortable and stressful work environment and relations between employees and also with management can deteriorate. This results in a detrimental effect of the health and emotional well-being of employees and often results in increased level of absenteeism and sick leave.
Being offered a polygraph test, we find is welcomed strongly by innocent employees. It gives them a chance to clear their name and to remove the grey cloud of doubt which would otherwise always be hanging over them. The guilty suspect(s) feel compelled to take a test, as their innocent colleagues have agreed to undertake the test.
Polygraph testing in these situations identifies the culprit(s) and just as importantly allows innocent parties to prove their innocence and restores harmony in the workplace.
Frequently the tests we conduct on behalf of employers are in relation to large sums of money going missing, but tests are also conducted in relation to many other matters such as fraud, allegations of misconduct, allegations of sexual harassment and dispute resolution.
Polygraph testing in the workplace is a quick and effective method of dealing with issues which may otherwise remain unresolved or take months or years to conclude.