Lie detector test for job seekers

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33095, 9 December 1972, Page 11

Lie detector test for job seekers

(From

MAURICE ADAMS,

>, in New York)

Thousands of job applicants in America are dfly discovering that they have to submit to a lie dtector test before being considered for a position.

'Once used almost entirely fir Government security ihecks and criminal investigations, the controversial “polygraph," as the machine is called, is now used by more businesses as a routine tool. The growing practice is being denounced as an “unwaranted invasion of privacy,” and as “degrading to human dignity?’ , ' The large trade unions are fighting it, but a needy individual job seeker, often has no choice but to accept being strapped as though to an electric chair. And his fate is decided by the electronic machine. Employers claim that the lie- detector does a better job than an interviewer—and at one-fifth the cost —in screening unqualified applicants. Many concerns* use the lie detector also to spot-check the honesty of existing employees as a means of deterring fraud and theft. So widespread is the practice now that the lie detector

is used even for menial jobs at some local supermarkets. At the other end of the spectrum are some of the world .renowned Fifth Avenue shops, such as the jewellers Tiffany’s and Harry Winston Inc., as well as Saks Fifth Avenue. Harry Winston, who recently purchased the world’s largest diamond—lBo carats —from Tanzania, has been using the lie detector for some years after it discovered a loss of half a million dollars in diamonds from its stock. Public warning Since then the prominent jeweller has made the lie detector test a condition of employment. A chain of discount stores has signs prominently displayed warning employees to expect having to take lie detector tests in instances of “theft, stock shortages, dishonesty and other irregularities.” Another large discount department store picks employees at random for tests. This so-called “periodic testing” is in addition to those regularly given to new employees. In fact this concern employs a full-time polygraph "specialist” on its staff to administer the tests. Industrial concerns are also using the machine as a means of verifying all kinds of information that job candidates are asked to supply on standard application forms. The information sought has to do with drug use, alcoholism, experience claims and medical history. Personal questions Some applicants are shocked by what they consider to be very personal questions.

One woman, for instance, complained that she had been asked such questions as whether she had ever had a lover, whether she ever stole anything and whether she was ever treated for mental illness.

Another woman recalled that she broke into tears when asked the question: “Have you ever done anything that you were ashamed of?”

The American Civil Liberties Union has called for the banning of the lie detector as a personnel tool. Calling the process “degrading,” it argues that the practice goes against the notion that “one is innocent until proven guilty,” and that it “forces one into a position of self-incrimina-tion.” The A.C.L.U. also says that any adverse findings denies “a person’s right to confront his accuser,” and that the technique represents an “illegal search and seizure of the subject’s thoughts, attitudes and beliefs.” Effective check Employers insist that the lie detectar is effective in Checking “internal crime” and stopping business ioss, even though this may not justify universal testing. Others say that the polygraph “scares the hell out of crooks.” As one of them put it, “It really helps screen out the bad apples.” Some states, fearing abuse if the practice is not controlled, are considering legislation to regulate the use of these machines. At present there is no way of knowing whether the examiner is qualified to perform the tests. Essentially, the polygraph is an electrical instrument that theoretically measures an individual’s emotional reactions indirectly through recordings of involuntary physiological changes that occur under stress. The recordings, experts claim, can be interpreted by trained examiners for indications as to when deception has been attempted. Testing requires that a subject be “wired up” so that continuous readings can be taken on changes in blood pressure, perspiration and respiration as questions are asked. Before the machine is turned on, the candidate is given a pre-test interview during which he is supposed to lose his fear “if he has nothing to hide.” The idea is that if the person interviewed tries to “harbour guilt,” tension builds up.