Workers dismissed for refusing polygraph test head to Labour Court

Quicks said:
"The company then asked 12 employees to take polygraph tests." Why would they ask anyone else to take the test if they were not responsible for it? Should they ask the cleaning lady or the receptionist or the any other person as well????
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lol because why not? They’re on a witch hunt, might as well water board someone till they confess no need for evidence.
 
ForceFate said:
They have every right to refuse to take it. It has potential to return false positives therefore, ruin people's reputations.
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What would you suggest the company do to protect themselves? Just leave it call it a day...

They need to take steps to make sure this does not happen again!!!
 
Quicks said:
What would you suggest the company do to protect themselves? Just leave it call it a day...

They need to take steps to make sure this does not happen again!!!
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I’m no genius but having someone be responsible for stock control, digitally recording what stock goes in and out, implementing access control that monitors and records who accesses the stock room.

Might be cheaper than 170k in losses.
 
Quicks said:
"The company then asked 12 employees to take polygraph tests." Why would they ask anyone else to take the test if they were not responsible for it? Should they ask the cleaning lady or the receptionist or the any other person as well????
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If they had access to the stock, yes. Everybody with access, direct or otherwise, is a suspect until the case is solved. Even the CEO.
 
Cosmik Debris said:
It's not. Forcing it on your employees or making it part of their employment contract is.
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How is making your employee do a polygraph every x period illegal?

Companies can make you do all sorts of things as part of an employment contract, so what make a polygraph test somehow magically illegal?
 
ToxicBunny said:
How is making your employee do a polygraph every x period illegal?

Companies can make you do all sorts of things as part of an employment contract, so what make a polygraph test somehow magically illegal?
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Because a polygraph test can impair dignity. Guaranteed by the constitution. It's also not accepted as evidence in a court. So how can the employer justify doing it?
 
Cosmik Debris said:
Because a polygraph test can impair dignity. Guaranteed by the constitution. It's also not accepted as evidence in a court. So how can the employer justify doing it?
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Sorry what?

And how they can justify it is by putting it in the employment contract, easy.
 
ToxicBunny said:
Sorry what?

And how they can justify it is by putting it in the employment contract, easy.
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That isn’t really justification.
You may be required to have fitness tests done, which is justified by compliance of other laws like health and safety.
 
Gordon_R said:
Polygraph tests are unscientific (mostly used in the USA and in bad movies). It's bizarre that they would be used in SA, and incredible that refusal to take part could be used as cause for dismissal. Perhaps the CCMA sees reality differently.
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One of my colleages took it. Was dismissed thereafter. Went to CCMA and lost the case.
 
FWIW.

One sensitive govt dept requires all contractors to undergo a polygraph along with there security clearance. Sure, nobody is forcing you ... but we know how that goes.

The role of the polygraph test is not as an ultimate truth test, it's just a way of rapidly narrowing down a pool of suspects. A good tester is invaluable and will understand the role certain questions can play. Indeed, they ask those questions as it will stress a normal person a bit, it's a control. No reaction would indicate other factors.

We also need to understand what a suspect is: Initially it's everybody that had the opportunity, nothing personal. I myself have been one on a few occasions, been involved in an investigation where a good mate was one until halfway through. A detailed timeline eventually disqualified him. It's kak, but even worse working in a dept where you know one of those you work with is a criminal.

Anybody thinking somebody failing a polygraph is guilty needs a lobotomy. That's not what a polygraph test is.

Yes, I can use a bobbejaan spanner as a hammer, but that's not what it's for and will probably end up with blue fingers.
 
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