to ask if you would provide a fictitious job reference for a friend?

[erinscupcake]

A friend has asked me to say I worked with her. I have never worked in this company before. I feel like a dweeb saying no (I often worry too much) but this makes me feel very uncomfortable.

Would you do this? Is it illegal?

[HiawathaDidntBotherTooMuch]

I cannot imagine ever doing this. And she shouldn't have ever considered asking you to.

[ilovesooty]

No. You can be prosecuted for fraud if you do I believe.

[ghostyslovesheep]

nope

it's unethical

[MisForMumNotMaid]

Could you compromise and say you'd be happy to provide a personal reference but wont provide a false reference?

[ilovesooty]

Or facilitating fraud anyway.

[RockingDuck]

No. personal would be ok.

[NotTheKitchenAgainPlease]

Companies often check references out. Why can't she get a proper reference?

[ilovesooty]

I wouldn't even give a character reference to anyone who asked me to do this.

[AllMimsyWereTheBorogoves]

I'd just say no. Is a personal reference ever valued by an employer?

[erinscupcake]

Pretty unanimous. I was just wondering if this was really common.

[SweepTheHalls]

Absolutely not.

[AllMimsyWereTheBorogoves]

I'd just say no. Is a personal reference ever valued by an employer?

[FenellaFellorick]

No way would I do this.

Companies check references. What if they contact the company and they say you never worked there? or they contact you - are you going to lie?

If she's found out, she could be in a lot of trouble.

[UnikittyInHerBusinessSuit]

I'd tell the truth - that I'm a godawful liar and I'd be caught out immediately with disastrous consequences.

[Fullpleatherjacket]

Why would she want you to do that?

Go with a personal reference at most.

[crocodiledundeelady]

Don't do it! Yes, lying on your cv is illegal (fraud) and you would potentially be liable as an aider or abettor (and therefore liable to same penalties as the person whose cv it is). It's a terrible idea. Especially if you're a worrier. You're quite likely to be found out.

[erinscupcake]

She's got a big work gap from being a mum

[Fullpleatherjacket]

She can put that in and it shouldn't be a problem.

It's unexplained gaps which are of more interest to a potential employer.

[NotTheKitchenAgainPlease]

You'd have to state your working relationship and her suitability for the job. This may be quite specific depending on what she is going to be doing. You may have to provide details on sickness and punctuality.

If your employer finds out you could lose your job. All references in my workplace go through HR.

[FishWithABicycle]

Never lie in a reference. If she can't get an honest reference then she's going to massively let down this new employer if she gets the job, and then they will have a legitimate grievance against you to sue you for whatever damage she's done to their business and reputation.

[AllMimsyWereTheBorogoves]

Don't do it, OP. She'll have to look for work where that big work gap isn't such an issue. Some employers positively value the skills that you learn being a SAHM. I was fortunate to have a manager who did. There aren't enough of them, sadly.

[erinscupcake]

I'm a sah parent. The company will call me. She wants me to write fictional ref when they do

[AllMimsyWereTheBorogoves]

No, no, no. Even if it worked and she got the job, if the company found out afterwards she would be sacked on the spot. What good will that do her?

[NotTheKitchenAgainPlease]

You'll be found out in an instant. Will they call on your home phone or mobile. Without being specific, what kind if work is it?

[erinscupcake]

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