Anyone Ever Taken A Polygraph?

[auntpolly]

Those things make me nervous because I can tell you for a fact that they can be wrong.

My first job out of college required a polygraph test and I lied and wasn't caught - not proud of this just telling you the truth.

There were 2 available positions and they'd narrowed it down to me and 2 guys and they told us we'd have to be polygraphed. During the test they asked us if we'd ever taken illegal drugs. One of the guys said "yes" he'd smoked a little marijuana in college and the other guy and I, who had also smoked a little marijuana in college said "no".

Guess who got the 2 jobs? (hint - not the honest guy who deserved it!! )

This was almost 25+ years ago - have they gotten more reliable???

 

[meandtheguys2]

I had to take one to get a retail job once. The first result came up positive for being a drug dealer! I do hope they have improved!

 

[auntpolly]

I had to take one to get a retail job once. The first result came up positive for being a drug dealer! I do hope they have improved!

Don't you get nervous when you see on the news that someone has passed or failed a polygraph test and everyone is acting like, "Well, there you have it! They're innocent (or guilty!)!"?

 

[meandtheguys2]

YOu know, I do. I just always hope that the little rinky dink company that did mine was a fluke!

 

[Pop Daddy]

the police have to find there own evidence, Im not giving them any.

 

[auntpolly]

the police have to find there own evidence, Im not giving them any.

Would you have refused to take the polygraph? Because I always kind of wished I did. The economy was so bad at that time and I just needed the job - but I feel kind of like I sold out (and lied!!!!!) and it's not my finest moment any way you look at it!

 

[Pop Daddy]

hey if you need a job you need a job, But I wouldnt take it, if I was guilty

 

[monkeyboy]

no but I failed a drug test once cause I had a poppy seed muffin for breakfast

 

[pamlet]

Nope never took a lie detector test - but had to take a VERY long phsychological exam for a postion with a drug store company. ( I was just going to be working in the eyeglass dept. )

Got the job - never did see the results. I remember one of the questions was "If you saw your mother stealing would you turn her in".... I don't even REMEMBER what my answer was.... hahahahah.... I don't know how I'd answer today - because somehow the picture of my mother stealing would have me

The amazing part to me was that we had to take this test and the woman I worked for was lets say VERY hard to work for... She was the most difficult manager I've EVER had in almost 30 years of working. She would SCREAM not just at us ... but at CUSTOMERS. Though in her defense.. she was honestly bi-polar.. which she told ever employee on their first day of work... and that her medication made her "testy". She was very up front about it - for her sake I hope the stabilized her meds!

I never understood how she passed the test?! In retrospect I understand now that it was a basic honest test - but back then I was a kid - and she had told me it was a psychological exam so I took her at her word.

 

[auntpolly]

no but I failed a drug test once cause I had a poppy seed muffin for breakfast

No, you are confusing your life with a Seinfeld episode.

 

[monkeyboy]

No, you are confusing your life with a Seinfeld episode.

whatever you say Elaine

 

[auntpolly]

I remember one of the questions was "If you saw your mother stealing would you turn her in"....
.

LOL Now there's a question for MeanLaureen's poll of the day!!!

 

[auntpolly]

whatever you say Elaine

GET OUT!

 

[pamlet]

No, you are confusing your life with a Seinfeld episode.

 

[pamlet]

LOL Now there's a question for MeanLaureen's poll of the day!!!

Isn't that the truth? Let me tell you I sat there and sat there trying to figure out the "right" answer... I felt like an idiot.. but I was 21-22 years old and could see it from "both sides"...

 

[auntpolly]

Isn't that the truth? Let me tell you I sat there and sat there trying to figure out the "right" answer... I felt like an idiot.. but I was 21-22 years old and could see it from "both sides"...

LOL I'd probably say something like..."What was she stealing - Was it soemthing for her starving family like bread or was it a car?"

 

[pamlet]

LOL I'd probably say something like..."What was she stealing - Was it soemthing for her starving family like bread or was it a car?"

I'm sure that was my train of thought! Even today I'd probably be scratching my head... hahahaha. Though lately for me that's the norm.

 

[Mimi Q]

Yes, I have. Just this past December as a matter of fact. A family member had a substancial amount of money stolen from their house. There was no sign of forced entry, so the police wanted everyone with a key to their house to take a lie detector test. The family member insisted we didn't have to do it, but DH and I did since we had nothing to hide. We both passed, but I couldn't believe how nervous I got when I actually had to go to the police department and take it. It was just such a bad feeling. I hope I never have to do that again.

 

[Papa Deuce]

I posted this story a long time ago here on DIS. Long story made VERY SHORT, I was polygraphed by the Secret Service for susupicion of counterfeiting!. I didn't do it. Took the test 3x. And you have to pass it all 3x to be "cleared".

 

[auntpolly]

I posted this story a long time ago here on DIS. Long story made VERY SHORT, I was polygraphed by the Secret Service for susupicion of counterfeiting!. I didn't do it. Took the test 3x. And you have to pass it all 3x to be "cleared".

OMG! That's scary! (But your really did it; right? I know you've been making those Disney Dollars in your basement!!!!)

I hope they've improved the quality of those things! I mean, they still won't hold up in court - will they?