Oregon Construction Contractors (CCB) Practice Test

Does the Employee Polygraph Protection Act allow most private employers to use lie detectors for employment screening?

1. Yes, they can use them freely.

2. No, it prohibits most uses.

3. Only for specific job roles.

4. Only in government jobs.

The correct answer is: No, it prohibits most uses.

The Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA) was enacted to protect employees and job applicants from being subjected to lie detector tests by most private employers. Under this law, the use of polygraph tests for employment screening is primarily prohibited. The Act's main intent is to prevent employers from making employment decisions based solely on the results of such tests, which can be unreliable and misleading. While there are some specific exceptions to this prohibition—such as for particular roles in security services or certain government positions—the general rule is that most private employers cannot use polygraphs during the hiring process or for regular employment procedures. Thus, the Act establishes a protective barrier around job applicants and employees regarding the invasive and often inaccurate nature of polygraph testing. This emphasizes the law's commitment to safeguarding individual employment rights against potentially harmful practices.