Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) Certification Practice Exam 2025 - Free SPHR Practice Questions and Study Guide

Employers can require an employee to take a polygraph test in specific circumstances as outlined by the Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA). One of these conditions includes situations related to theft or embezzlement, especially when there is a reasonable suspicion that an employee may be involved in such activities. This means that if funds have been embezzled, the employer may have grounds to require a polygraph test as part of the investigation.

It's important to note that the EPPA strictly regulates the use of polygraph tests, limiting it primarily to investigations involving specific types of criminal activity such as theft or fraud, particularly in the cases of suspected wrongdoing regarding company property or financial loss. In contrast, accusations of violent behavior or being under the influence of drugs do not provide the same legal foundation for requiring a polygraph test under the current law. Additionally, there are circumstances where employers cannot require polygraph testing at all, affirming that the correct answer highlights a valid scenario where such tests may be legally permissible.