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Lie Detector Tests: The Employee Polygraph Protection Act of 1988
Compliance Assistance Available
The Wage and Hour Division of the Employment Standards Administration administers and enforces the Act. More detailed information, including copies of explanatory brochures and regulatory and interpretative materials, may be obtained from the local Wage and Hour offices. Compliance assistance information may be found on the Wage and Hour Division's Web site.
Penalties/Sanctions
The Secretary of Labor can bring court action to restrain violators and assess civil money penalties up to $10,000 per violation. An employer who violates the law may be liable to the employee or prospective employee for legal and equitable relief, including employment, reinstatement, promotion and payment of lost wages and benefits.
Any person against whom a civil money penalty is assessed may, within 30 days of the notice of assessment, request a hearing before an administrative law judge. If dissatisfied with the administrative law judge's decision, such person may request a review of the decision by the Secretary of Labor. Final determinations on violations are enforceable through the courts.
Relation to State, Local and Other Federal Laws
The law does not preempt any provision of any state or local law or any collective bargaining agreement that is more restrictive with respect to lie detector tests.
FAQs
- May employers really monitor my activity like that?
- Do state laws protect the confidentiality of workplace records?
- Are there any federal laws that protect the confidentiality of workplace records?
- What if my company has pledged not to conduct e-mail and Internet searches?
- Can employers prohibit smoking in the workplace?
Employees' Rights Resources
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