Lie detectors in the workplace - whatever next?!

I was fascinated - and slightly horrified - to read this news article on Personneltoday.com this week.

It seems that the popular practice of 'throwing a sickie' could soon become a thing of the past in the UK - thanks to the introduction of workplace lie detectors. At least that's the plan.

Absenteeism is a massive problem for UK employers, but I really don't think lie detectors are the answer. Isn't this a step too far?

Trust is a two way thing and I just cannot see how the use of lie detector technology can be a healthy, positive development as far as employee-employer relationships go.

Comments

[Krista]

I agree. It only approaches the problem from the employer's standpoint, but doesn't address some of the real reasons people may be calling in sick such as child or elder care, general lifestyle and health, inability to deal with stress properly, etc.

A company I worked for in California actually approached absenteeism from some of these angles and we had great results. Eventually, we moved to unlimited number of sick days (people didn't abuse this), methods for covering peers if they were to call in sick or needed to arrive late, child care arrangements with local daycare facilities, rewards for people who had great attendance records (more vacation time, supplements to their benefits package, things of that nature). Worked for me...