Are employers allowed to require employees to submit to a polygraph test as a condition of employment?
In Washington, employers are generally not allowed to require employees to submit to a polygraph test as a condition of their employment. This is due to the Washington Polygraph Examiners Act, which is a state law that prohibits employers from using a polygraph test to make hiring or firing decisions. The Act also allows employers to voluntarily use a polygraph test as part of their normal pre-employment screening process. However, the polygraph must be administered by a person certified by the Washington State Department of Licensing, and the employer must also provide certain types of information about the test to the employee beforehand. Additionally, employers in Washington are not allowed to ask potential employees questions about taking a polygraph test during an interview. Also, the employer is required to get written consent from the employee before they can use a polygraph test. Overall, while employers in Washington are not required to use a polygraph test as a condition of employment, they are allowed to do so in certain circumstances. However, it is important to abide by the rules and regulations set forth by the Washington Polygraph Examiners Act in order to ensure the rights of employees are protected.
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