The California Labor Code prohibits employers from requiring which type of test as a condition of employment?

The California Labor Code prohibits employers from requiring which type of test as a condition of employment?

• A. Polygraph Tests
• B. Lie detector tests
• C. Breathalyzer tests
• D. Psychological Tests

Answer: (A)

Polygraph tests are prohibited by California law as a condition of employment. A polygraph, or lie detector test, is invasive and not reliably predictive of truthfulness, which is why the state bans using it in hiring decisions. The other tests have contexts where they may be used legally (breathalyzer tests in safety-related or post-incident situations; psychological tests if properly job-related and nondiscriminatory), but they aren’t categorically prohibited like polygraphs are.

Polygraph tests are prohibited by California law as a condition of employment. A polygraph, or lie detector test, is invasive and not reliably predictive of truthfulness, which is why the state bans using it in hiring decisions. The other tests have contexts where they may be used legally (breathalyzer tests in safety-related or post-incident situations; psychological tests if properly job-related and nondiscriminatory), but they aren’t categorically prohibited like polygraphs are.