PISA Pre-Employment Polygraph Examinations

A pre-employment polygraph examination is a test conducted on applicants or prospective employees as a means of gathering information, verifying information submitted by applicants and to monitor for potential risks to your company such as historical criminal or unethical behaviour. During a pre-employment polygraph examination, the candidate fills out a form regarding their history, including personal administrative information, medical history, employment history, history of drugs use, involvement in criminal or unethical activity, financial history and more. Once the form has been completed the candidates are questioned during a structured interview and are informed that being honest in their responses will increase their chances of being accepted at the company as the reason for the examination is to determine their honesty. The candidates are given the opportunity to amend their responses prior to the examination. Pre-determined questions are discussed with the examinee, and once the examinee agrees that they understand the questions and can answer them truthfully, a polygraph examination is conducted to verify whether the candidate is truthful when answering the questions. The questions are tailored to the position and company for which the person is applying.

While background verifications, qualification verifications and criminal record vetting may indicate historical, criminal, or unethical activities of a candidate, a pre-employment polygraph examination can assist in detecting activities and falsified information that cannot be monitored through any other means, such as their involvement in criminal activity for which they have not been prosecuted. Used in vetting processes for law enforcement agencies, security companies, retail companies and any organisations in which staff members are placed in a position of trust or the mitigation of risk is necessitated by operational requirements, the examinations have become an essential cornerstone in data collection and pre-employment vetting globally. These examinations not only act as a deterrent for criminal or unethical candidates but also fosters a culture of integrity with new applicants and acts as a safeguard for existing staff members and clients.

All polygraph examiners affiliated with the PISA Integrity Assessment Centre are members in good standing with the Southern African Polygraph Federation. This ensure that all polygraph examiners utilized by the PISA Integrity Assessment Centre qualified from an American Polygraph Association accredited training institution, has to adhere to a strict code of ethics, conducts examinations in accordance with international standards of practice and has to remain up to date with the continuous education requirement. For more information regarding the Southern African Polygraph Federation please visit their website: SAPFED

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Selecting the right team is essential to the success of your business. Pre-employment polygraph screening examinations empowers companies with the knowledge they need to make the right choices, fostering a culture of integrity, mitigating potential risk and protecting your interests. Selecting the right team for your company is critical as your team directly impacts performance, culture, growth, and long-term success. Polygraph pre-employment testing offers a host of advantages to give your company the competitive edge.

Deterrence of Dishonest Applicants

Knowing a polygraph test is part of the hiring process may deter individuals with a history of dishonesty, criminal behaviour, or substance abuse from applying as these applicants are discouraged from lying about criminal history, drug use, or falsified credentials knowing that the examination will likely expose their historical behaviour. Applicants with a history of deception or disqualifying behaviour may choose not to apply or may drop out of the hiring process upon learning a polygraph is involved, effectively screening themselves out. Individuals who might otherwise try to bluff their way through the process may think twice when they know a polygraph is part of the screening, reducing the chance of opportunistic dishonesty. This self-selection helps employers avoid investing time and money in processing applicants who might not pass the screening anyway.

Uncovering Undisclosed Information

Applicants may reveal information during the polygraph process (even before the test itself) that they wouldn't disclose on a standard application or interview, such as past criminal activity, drug use, previous disciplinary problems, security breaches, falsified qualifications and more. The pre-examination interview is a thorough process during which applicants are encouraged to be truthful regarding past indiscretions or unethical behaviour. Admission of such behaviour does not necessarily disqualify the applicant from obtaining the position, however provides a more complete and accurate profile of the applicant so that the company can make the right choices for their benefit, as well as for the benefit of the applicant.

Verification of Application Accuracy

Pre-employment polygraph examinations helps to confirm whether the information provided during the hiring process is truthful, reducing the risk of hiring under false pretences. Applicants are required to provide the same information as during the application process, or are requested to provide additional information. The information provided by the applicant can be compared to the initial information provided by the applicant to reveal discrepancies or areas that may require additional information or scrutiny. The information can also be verified in the examination phase itself if posed as one of the questions for analysis, or can prompt for further vetting process to be applied.

Enhanced Security and Risk Reduction

In high-risk jobs and positions of trust, the polygraph helps screen out individuals who may pose a security risk, improving overall organizational safety and integrity. Pre-employment polygraph testing enhances security and reduces organizational risk by helping to identify individuals who may pose a threat to the integrity, safety, or trustworthiness of the organization. Polygraphs can reveal undisclosed criminal behaviour, such as theft, drug use, or violence, which might not be caught through background checks alone. Questions may target involvement in criminal groups or syndicates, or associations with extremist groups, helping to flag potential insider threats before they are hired. A professionally conducted polygraph examination helps verify that the applicant has been truthful about their employment history, education, and qualifications, revealing deceptive patterns as applicants who show deception on the polygraph may be more likely to engage in unethical or risky behaviour once hired. In positions involving national security, classified information, or critical infrastructure, a polygraph helps assess whether a person can be trusted with sensitive material. By filtering out individuals who may have malicious intent, the organization can better safeguard its data, assets, and personnel, preventing insider threats. Individuals with a high potential for misconduct are less likely to apply when they know a polygraph is part of the process. Hiring an untrustworthy employee can lead to theft, data breaches, violence, or lawsuits. Polygraph testing reduces the risk of making such hires, protecting the company's reputation and assets.

Supports Background Investigation

Polygraph results can supplement background checks, especially in verifying the honesty of responses related to sensitive or hard-to-verify areas. A pre-employment polygraph supports background investigations by verifying, clarifying, and expanding the information obtained through traditional investigative methods. Investigators can use polygraph results to verify disclosures about prior drug use, criminal activity, or financial problems and cross check statements and information provided during the application process. Applicants may omit or misrepresent information during interviews or paperwork, however a semi-structured interview process can prompt further admissions that the applicant might not have disclosed otherwise. If a polygraph reveals suspicious or deceptive responses, company representatives can follow up with more targeted interviews, reference checks, or document reviews, prioritizing resources by using polygraph results to determine where to concentrate their efforts, making the vetting process more efficient. It adds an additional layer of scrutiny to ensure candidates meet the organization's standards for trustworthiness and reliability.

Improved Public Trust

A pre-employment polygraph test can enhance public trust in several ways, especially when used in sectors like the security industry, financial institutions, pharmaceutical, schools and child orientated facilities, law enforcement, intelligence, or national security. Rigorous vetting processes enhances public confidence in the integrity of personnel and your company. By screening candidates for honesty and integrity, polygraph tests help ensure that only trustworthy individuals are hired, demonstrating the organization's commitment to integrity, accountability and due diligence. This strengthens the companies credibility and improves public trust.

Pre-Employment Polygraph Examinations

ADVANTAGES OF PRE-EMPLOYMENT POLYGRAPH TESTING