Skip to main content
UMass Collegiate M The University of Massachusetts Amherst
  • Visit
  • Apply
  • Give
  • Search UMass.edu
Human Resources Human Resources

Main navigation

  • AskHR
  • Work at UMass Amherst
    Jobs for Faculty and StaffHow to ApplyExecutive SearchesBenefitsNew Employee Guide
    Jobs for StudentsDiversity, Equity, and InclusionJobs for Classified EmployeesYellow Sheet (On Campus Only)Campus Safety Report
  • Benefits & Pay
    BenefitsPayrollClassification and Compensation
    HR Employee Service CenterWork-Life EventsEmployment and Income Verifications
  • Training
    Workplace Learning & DevelopmentThe Partnership for Worker EducationEmployee Inclusivity TrainingsNew Employee Required Workshops
    Systems Support & TrainingPageUp and Search Process GuidesHR Direct GuidesePAF GuidesDocument Library
  • Support
    WorkWell@UMassEmployee Counseling and Consultation OfficeEmployee Assistance Program (Mass4You)Workplace AccommodationsWorkplace Bullying
    HR Business PartnershipsUniversity Ombuds OfficeOffice of Equity and Inclusion
  • Labor Relations
    Union News and Updates

Breadcrumb

  1. Home

US Dept. of Labor Employee Rights - Employee Polygraph Protection Act


US Dept. of Labor Employee Rights - Employee Polygraph Protection Act

The Employee Polygraph Protection Act prohibits most private employers from using lie detector tests either for pre-employment screening or during the course of employment.

Prohibitions Employers are generally prohibited from requiring or requesting any employee or job applicant to take a lie detector test, and from discharging, disciplining, or discriminating against an employee or prospective employee for refusing to take a test or for exercising other rights under the Act.
Exemptions

Federal, State and local governments are not affected by the law. Also, the law does not apply to tests given by the Federal Government to certain private individuals engaged in national security-related activities.

The Act permits polygraph (a kind of lie detector) tests to be administered in the private sector, subject to restrictions, to certain prospective employees of security service firms (armored car, alarm, and guard), and of pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors and dispensers.

The Act also permits polygraph testing, subject to restrictions, of certain employees of private firms who are reasonably suspected of involvement in a workplace incident (theft, embezzlement, etc.) that resulted in economic loss to the employer.

The law does not preempt any provision of any State or local law or any collective bargaining agreement which is more restrictive with respect to lie detector tests.

Examinee Rights Where polygraph tests are permitted, they are subject to numerous strict standards concerning the conduct and length of the test. Examinees have a number of specific rights, including the right to a written notice before testing, the right to refuse or discontinue a test, and the right not to have test results disclosed to unauthorized persons.
Enforcement The Secretary of Labor may bring court actions to restrain violations and assess civil penalties against violators. Employees or job applicants may also bring their own court actions.

WAGE AND HOUR DIVISION UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
1-866-487-9243 TTY: 1-877-889-5627 www.dol.gov/whd

Navigation

‹ Previous | Up | Next ›

Book Navigation Links

UMass Amherst Policies and Guidelines for Employees
Accessible Workplace
Service Animal and Assistance Animal Policy
Notifications Related to Wage and Hour Laws
Massachusetts Wage & Hour Laws
US Employee Rights Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
Pay Transparency
Notifications Related to Protection from Discrimination
Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal
Policy Against Discrimination, Harassment, and Related Interpersonal Violence
Statement of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity (Trustee Policy)
Fair Employment in Massachusetts
Massachusetts - Sexual Harassment is Illegal
Massachusetts Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
Conduct as a Representative of the University & the Commonwealth
Principles of Employee Conduct
Summary of the Conflict of Interest Law for State Employees
Policy Against Discrimination, Harassment, and Related Interpersonal Violence
Policy Against Intolerance
Resolution in Support of Pluralism
Drug Free Workplace
Intellectual Property Policy (Trustee Policy, Amherst & Boston Campuses)
Regulations for Use of Property (Trustee Policy)
Title IX Policy and Grievance Procedures
Firearms and Weapons Policy
Workplace Bullying
Export Control Policy
Policy on Conflicts of Interest Relating to Intellectual Property and Commercial Ventures (Trustee Policy)
Public Records: Your Responsibilities as a Public Employee
UMass Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources
UMass Trustee Policy on Fraudulent Financial Activities
Notifications Related to Workplace Safety
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Industrial Accidents Notice to Employees
Massachusetts Right to Know Workplace Notice
Massachusetts Workplace Safety and Health Protection for Public Employees
Notifications Related to Leaves of Absence
Your Employee Rights Under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML)
Parental Leave in Massachusetts
Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
Your Rights Under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA)
Massachusetts Domestic Violence Leave Law
Massachusetts Earned Sick Time
Massachusetts Small Necessities Leave Act
US Dept. of Labor Employee Rights - Employee Polygraph Protection Act
This Organization Participates in E-Verify
Massachusetts Overview of Health Insurance Marketplaces
Information on Employees’ Unemployment Insurance Coverage
Policies Specific to Faculty Employment
Academic Personnel Policy
Policy on Consensual Relationships Between Faculty and Students
Policy on Faculty Consulting and Outside Activities (Trustee Policy)
Policies Specific to Non-Unit Employees
Non-Unit Family Leave Trustee Policy
Non-Unit Reduction in Force, UMass Amherst, Boston, Dartmouth, Lowell
Trustee Personnel Policy for Non-Unit Professional Staff

  • Printer-friendly version

Site footer

Human Resources
Address

330 Whitmore Building
181 Presidents Drive
Amherst, MA 01003
United States

Information for

  • Job Seekers
  • Current Employees
  • New Employees
  • International Employees
  • Chancellor's Citation Awards
  • About HR

Employee self-service

  • PageUp
  • HR Direct
  • Employment and Income Verifications
  • Document Library
  • Human Resources Employee Service Center
  • Staff Directory

Work-life events

  • Birth, Adoption, Foster Care
  • Marriage
  • Name Change
  • Moving / Address change
  • All Work-Life Events

Popular Links

  • Holidays and Campus Closure Days
  • Pay Calendar
  • Yellow Sheet
  • Paycheck
  • Flexible Work
  • Benefits

Global footer

  • ©2025 University of Massachusetts Amherst
  • Site policies
  • Privacy
  • Non-discrimination notice
  • Accessibility
  • Terms of use