In June President Reagan signed a law banning about 85 percent of the current use of polygraphs. The Justice Department has said it will appeal that ruling. About seven million private employers will no longer be allowed to require job seekers or those on the payroll to take a polygraph test, under penalty of a $10,000 fine. The employers must post signs summarizing the prohibitions and exceptions. Companies providing security services are exempt, as are drug companies for those actually handling drugs. Results of a polygraph test or refusal to submit to such an exam cannot be used alone as a basis for taking any action against an employee. Polygraphs can still be used to investigate specific occurrences of theft, embezzlement and sabotage.
In June President Reagan signed a law banning about 85 percent of the current use of polygraphs. The Justice Department has said it will appeal that ruling. About seven million private employers will no longer be allowed to require job seekers or those on the payroll to take a polygraph test, under penalty of a $10,000 fine. The employers must post signs summarizing the prohibitions and exceptions. Companies providing security services are exempt, as are drug companies for those actually handling drugs. Polygraphs can still be used to investigate specific occurrences of theft, embezzlement and sabotage.