Can They Do That? A Guide to Your Rights on the Job.A potential employer says you have to take a "simple" polygraph An instrument used to measure physiological responses in humans when they are questioned in order to determine if their answers are truthful. Also known as a "lie detector," the polygraph has a controversial history in U.S. law. test before being considered for the job. You agree, afraid you'll blow your chances if you decline. But is it legal? Michael Zigarelli offers the answer to this and other workplace-related legal questions in his book, Can They Do That?: A Guide to Your Rights on the job, (Lexington Books, New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of , N.Y., $19.95). Employees, managers and even employers are not aware of the many facets of employment law. This easy-to-read guide sorts out many of the legal issues surrounding discrimination, interview questions, sexual harassment sexual harassment, in law, verbal or physical behavior of a sexual nature, aimed at a particular person or group of people, especially in the workplace or in academic or other institutional settings, that is actionable, as in tort or under equal-opportunity statutes. , drug testing and more. * Under the Employee Polygraph Protection Act The U.S. Employee Polygraph Protection Act of 1988 ("EPPA") generally prevents employers from using lie detector tests, either for pre-employment screening or during the course of employment, with certain exemptions. (EPPA EPPA Employee Polygraph Protection Act of 1988 EPPA European Poker Players Association EPPA Estes Park Plein Air (Estes Park, CO) ), it is illegal for most private-sector employers to require employees to submit to lie detector tests lie detector test n. a popular name for a polygraph which tests the physiological reaction of a person to questions asked by a testing expert. A potential or actual criminal defendant or possible witness cannot be forced or ordered to take a lie detector test. . There are a few exceptions: if your boss suspects you of a theft, or if you are responsible for money, classified information or controlled substances. * Candidates shouldn't be asked on than their white counterparts. * You no longer have to suffer psychological damage or impaired work performance to prove sexual harassment. A 1993 Supreme Court ruling states that employees don't have to prove either of these factors in order to show that their work environment was abusive. RELATED ARTICLE: SINCE YOU ASKED... FEEL LIKE YOU'RE FILLING A QUOTA? Q With all this talk of diversity in organizations, I'm afraid I'll be offered jobs because of my race, not my merits. Should I accept a position I feel is set aside for minorities? A "There are companies that want diversity, but few companies are willing to compromise quality and performance to retain or hire a diverse candidate," says Willie S. Bright, president of the Urban Placement Service in Houston. During the initial stages of their careers, minority professionals may feel they are a "token," Bright says. However, most jobs offer a real place in the organizational structure  This article has no lead section.To comply with Wikipedia's lead section guidelines, one should be written. of a company. "Disregard your suspicions because no job is officially a `quota job,'" he explains. "There are minority goals and objectives that companies try to reach, but if a position can't be filled with a minority, they will fill it with someone else." If the position offers you the opportunity to grow and advance, use it to get in the door. Your skills and potential will keep you there and allow you to progress.. |
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