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Halifax thinks again about subjecting applicants to lie-detector tests

Scouzer

Scouzer

Lifer
CBC LINK

Halifax Regional Municipality is reviewing its practice of using a polygraph test on job applicants after critics questioned why applicants were asked whether they had ever thought of killing themselves or had sex with animals.

Mayor Peter Kelly said Monday that while it's important to screen potential employees, he felt some of the questions were inappropriate.

"We should be asking what are the valid questions that should be asked and what is important or imperative to the outcome of the job," Kelly said.

Kelly said he called for the review after the Halifax Chronicle Herald quoted a job applicant saying she was humiliated by questions during a recent polygraph test, including one asking whether she had sex with animals.

The 144 questions include:

* Did you take any type of drug in preparation for this test?
* Have you ever has sex with someone against their will or without their consent?
* Have you ever engaged in bestiality?
* Have you done or said anything to discriminate?
* Have you ever tried to take your life?

The woman, who has asked not to be identified, was applying for a position with the municipality's information technology division.

She said she did not get the job.

"They didn't leave any stones unturned," the woman said. "I was told I'm not suitable."

The pre-employment polygraph booklet has been handed out to anyone applying for a job with the police and fire services, bylaw enforcement, as well as some IT positions.

Would-be employees are told to answer truthfully or be removed from the job competition. Any information about unlawful activities can be handed over to police.

The questions cover a range of areas, from an applicant's work experience to how much they drink. Some questions ask for the applicant to provide an explanation.

Some could force people to reveal information about what they were up to in their teen years, Kelly said.

"What is the reason or rationale to go that far back?" he said. "Do we breach any of those confidentialities in terms of the law?"

Kelly said he's heard such tests aren't used by the military and are banned in New Brunswick and Ontario. He's asked municipal staff to look at job screening methods across the country.

The municipality expects full details from the review in the next couple of weeks.

Kelly said all aspects of the polygraph tests are under review, from the type of questions asked to whether they should be put forth at all.
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Wow. lulz. My favourite is they reviewed it and determined it was ok!

CBC Link 2

Questions to would-be police and firefighters about their sexual practices and drug use are fair, but the way the lie-detector test was purchased doesn't meet city standards, according to a review.

The Halifax Regional Municipality has completed a study of the polygraph test given to prospective firefighters, police and some other municipal workers who handle sensitive personal information.

Dan English, the HRM's chief administrative officer, said Tuesday the study concluded that the test is necessary and the personal questions should be allowed.

The pre-employment testing service, however, wasn't tendered and was awarded to a company run by off-duty police officers.

"We are concerned with conflict of interest, whether real or perceived," said English. "In this case, there is an appearance of conflict, and we take this very seriously."

When Integrity Inc. began selling its polygraph service to evaluate recruits for the fire department in 1998, the company had the permission from the chief of police.

Chief Frank Beazley, the current head of the police force, said he's reviewing the matter.

"I have received the municipality's review and will examine the findings, which could include an investigation under the Police Act of Nova Scotia, if warranted," Beazley said.

In the meantime, the police department is conducting all polygraph testing for prospective municipal employees.

HRM launched the review of polygraph testing in November after several job applicants complained that they felt uncomfortable about some of the questions, such as whether they had ever had sex with animals or thought of killing themselves.

One prospective firefighter complained that the $350 he paid for the test seemed like a money grab.
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Wow, this is a fucking outrage. But if they want to implement this stupidity, the should start at the top with the politicians and go down from there. I bet you we would be a lot of jobs available shortly after.

Are other cities doing this in Canada or the US?
 
Outrageous questions, but even so if they were justified, why Halifax out of all places? I don't think that qualifies as a ghetto or high crime rate city where you need super sharp cops, unless of course I'm wrong?
 
I'm worried about this sort of thing catching on. It is like drug testing. The argument for it sounds good--they are a private company and are entitled to hire who they wish. But when every employer is doing it and every person needs to find work to survive, then essentially your society has become very invasive of the private lives of its citizens. It is not just the government we have to worry about when it come to civil liberties. As it stands, everyone in the United States (not sure about Canada) must have their urine screened at least once in their lives, usually much more. This is taking it a very frightening step further.
 
* Have you ever has sex with someone against their will or without their consent?
* Have you ever engaged in bestiality?

The obvious answer is: "Does your mother count?" 😀

If they really think the questions are valid, I have to wonder about the people who created them.
 
Originally posted by: Farang
I'm worried about this sort of thing catching on. It is like drug testing. The argument for it sounds good--they are a private company and are entitled to hire who they wish. But when every employer is doing it and every person needs to find work to survive, then essentially your society has become very invasive of the private lives of its citizens. It is not just the government we have to worry about when it come to civil liberties. As it stands, everyone in the United States (not sure about Canada) must have their urine screened at least once in their lives, usually much more. This is taking it a very frightening step further.
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I've never been piss tested... don't know anyone who has off hand... pretty damn rare in Canada.
 
Originally posted by: Scouzer
Originally posted by: Farang
I'm worried about this sort of thing catching on. It is like drug testing. The argument for it sounds good--they are a private company and are entitled to hire who they wish. But when every employer is doing it and every person needs to find work to survive, then essentially your society has become very invasive of the private lives of its citizens. It is not just the government we have to worry about when it come to civil liberties. As it stands, everyone in the United States (not sure about Canada) must have their urine screened at least once in their lives, usually much more. This is taking it a very frightening step further.
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I've never been piss tested... don't know anyone who has off hand... pretty damn rare in Canada.
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Basically to get any decent paying job in the states you get tested. I'm not sure how prevalent it is elsewhere, I seem to remember seeing it on job applications in New Zealand.

edit: and I guess this isn't a private company so this is even tougher to defend.. but I'm not Canadian and don't care about it specifically
 
I thought it was the RCMP and not just Halifax who asked these questions.

CSIS (Canada's intelligence) and I'm sure the FBI/CIA asks the same kinds of questions. They ask about drug use, pornography habits, , drinking, abuse, violence etc... very intrusive questions as well.
 
Originally posted by: Feneant2
I thought it was the RCMP and not just Halifax who asked these questions.

CSIS (Canada's intelligence) and I'm sure the FBI/CIA asks the same kinds of questions. They ask about drug use, pornography habits, , drinking, abuse, violence etc... very intrusive questions as well.
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That's basically any law enforcement related polygraph I've heard of (including mine).

Someone has mentioned that it's akin to 'raping someone's soul'...unless they're going to make the POTUS take one, I don't think anyone else should.
 
lie detectors need baseline information, so they ask absurd questions that can't possibliy be true to establish what a truth backed denial registers.
 
Originally posted by: sdifox
lie detectors need baseline information, so they ask absurd questions that can't possibliy be true to establish what a truth backed denial registers.
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My baseline questions involved reading the number off a card (hidden to the operator). When I reached a certain number, I was to intentionally answer incorrectly. The absurd questions were in the main 'set' of questions- then the polygraph was hooked up for the final questions like 'was everything true to the best of your knowledge', etc.
 
I have a buddy who is a cop. He got polygraphed but it was after employment and meant as a training experience. They asked similar questions. They are meant to evoke emotion, which can give false positives. Polygraphs are incredibly inaccurate. They are NOT admissible in court. I was asked to take one and I out right refused. Only stupid over confident idiots agree to them.
 
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