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Original poster

Colleague lied on CV

71 replies

goteam · 30/07/2023 18:58

Would you say something if a colleague lied on their CV? I was promoted last year and had in my own time completed a qualification required for the promotion. Our HR department are crap. They never chased me up for the certificate. I mentioned at the time to a colleague that HR didn't chase me up. A few months ago she applied for a promotion and put this qualification down. She told me she hadn't done it but knew they wouldn't check. The lack of expertise is showing and staff she line manages are really struggling with her basically being a bit crap. I want to say something to HR but it is done now and they can't retract the job and I'm also worried they will close ranks to hide their incompetence. What would you do?

OP posts:
Original poster
goteam · 30/07/2023 20:37

Thanks for the advice everyone

OP posts:
VisionsOfSplendour · 30/07/2023 20:48

sewerrat · 30/07/2023 19:01

dont be a snitch.

Are you a bot or is there a 6 year old who stakes out threads like this to post an inane comment?

Hibiscrubbed · 30/07/2023 21:12

HundredMilesAnHour · 30/07/2023 19:05

Start emailing your own certificate to HR. Personally I'd add a comment about being surprised that no-one chased you up for it and asking them to confirm it's still required for everyone in that role and see if you get a bite from HR.

This is quite genius.

GoodChat · 30/07/2023 21:17

goteam · 30/07/2023 19:43

@GoodChat I'm not sure what you mean about not dobbing them in. Most people don't pull crap like this at work as we are professional. One person has done something unethical. There are no official channels for this. It wouldn't usually be allowed to happen hence asking for advice.

They know you're not going to tell their manager they're bitching about her, for example.

If there's a HR department, there are official channels.

Miranaboll · 31/07/2023 10:49

I don’t know how people have the nerve to do this. I’d always be secretly crapping myself about it!!

Newtt · 31/07/2023 11:10

As PPs have said, email HR your certificate and say you’ve just realised you hadn’t been chased up for it.

No ‘snitching’ involved, but it does bring it to their attention…

feileacan · 31/07/2023 13:26

Depending on the industry, there may also be an insurance issue with this. For example, if a service user is damaged in some way and your colleague is responsible, your organisation generally relies on their insurance if there's liability. However, if it turned out that insurance company found out that your colleagues qualification isn't legitimate, they may refuse to cover any liability.
(Insurance for professional liability exists in financial services, law, health to name but a few).

GetInTheBinThenGetInTheSea · 31/07/2023 13:33

I agree with those saying don't dob.

Every single job I've had, I've got with lies about my qualifications. I had a very difficult childhood and missed a lot of school and nearly all my exams. I tried again to get qualifications as an older teenager but I was forced out of full time education because not being able to claim benefits would have made me homeless. So I have one A level and that's it.

The idea that someone would decide to try and get me fired makes me feel ill. I appreciate this is a different situation, but it still makes my skin crawl. Keep your beak out.

ColonelDax · 31/07/2023 13:47

sewerrat · 30/07/2023 19:01

dont be a snitch.

Attitudes like this absolutely blow my mind.

How do people think that this improves society in any way?!

Look at parts of the world/this country where the view 'don't snitch/snitches get stitches' applies and what they are generally like as neighbourhoods.

Then look at literally anywhere where people actually take a bit of social responsibility and call the Police/council etc to report when anti social behaviour or outright crime is taking place.

Then answer honestly, where would you rather live? 🤔

drpet49 · 31/07/2023 13:53

FloNightingale · 30/07/2023 19:06

They can retract the job offer and she could be sacked.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2005/aug/18/health.healthandwellbeing

This. I would say something. She’s crap at her job and doesn’t deserve it. She got it under false pretences.

Layzees · 31/07/2023 15:05

GetInTheBinThenGetInTheSea · 31/07/2023 13:33

I agree with those saying don't dob.

Every single job I've had, I've got with lies about my qualifications. I had a very difficult childhood and missed a lot of school and nearly all my exams. I tried again to get qualifications as an older teenager but I was forced out of full time education because not being able to claim benefits would have made me homeless. So I have one A level and that's it.

The idea that someone would decide to try and get me fired makes me feel ill. I appreciate this is a different situation, but it still makes my skin crawl. Keep your beak out.

All very well saying keep your beak out but it depends on the context doesn't it. Do you want you kid's TA lying about maths and english? Or how about the head of an nhs trust lying about a masters degree. Both real examples. I had a shit start; kicked out at 16 and suffered violence from parents but I didn't lie about my shit maths.

GetInTheBinThenGetInTheSea · 31/07/2023 15:46

Layzees · 31/07/2023 15:05

All very well saying keep your beak out but it depends on the context doesn't it. Do you want you kid's TA lying about maths and english? Or how about the head of an nhs trust lying about a masters degree. Both real examples. I had a shit start; kicked out at 16 and suffered violence from parents but I didn't lie about my shit maths.

Show quote history

I did lie about my shit maths. I got jobs I wouldn't have even been considered for. And I was excellent at the role.

I actually know someone who lied their way into a very high banking position and is now a millionaire.

If someone can do the job well, I wouldn't have the slightest interest in dobbing them in. Obviously I wouldn't want a surgeon who lied about their qualifications but I can't get excited about exaggerating things like maths qualifications when you're actually capable of doing the job.

Layzees · 31/07/2023 16:59

GetInTheBinThenGetInTheSea · 31/07/2023 15:46

I did lie about my shit maths. I got jobs I wouldn't have even been considered for. And I was excellent at the role.

I actually know someone who lied their way into a very high banking position and is now a millionaire.

If someone can do the job well, I wouldn't have the slightest interest in dobbing them in. Obviously I wouldn't want a surgeon who lied about their qualifications but I can't get excited about exaggerating things like maths qualifications when you're actually capable of doing the job.

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Oh well. Good job we have your approval then. Who cares about integrity, safeguarding and fairness anyway.

greenteaandmarshmallows · 31/07/2023 17:02

HundredMilesAnHour · 30/07/2023 19:05

Start emailing your own certificate to HR. Personally I'd add a comment about being surprised that no-one chased you up for it and asking them to confirm it's still required for everyone in that role and see if you get a bite from HR.

I would do this and then leave it

GetInTheBinThenGetInTheSea · 31/07/2023 17:03

Layzees · 31/07/2023 16:59

Oh well. Good job we have your approval then. Who cares about integrity, safeguarding and fairness anyway.

Show quote history

What's fair about forcing young adults out of education? I would have happily got those qualifications but I had to choose between that and living on the street.

That's the world we live in. So yeah, if I have to lie to be given a chance in life, I will. If you've got a problem with that, you'll have to cope with it.

greenteaandmarshmallows · 31/07/2023 17:04

Be very careful how you word your email if you go that route. You don't want to be able to be accused of having known about their fraud but not told anyone at the company

Layzees · 31/07/2023 17:08

GetInTheBinThenGetInTheSea · 31/07/2023 17:03

What's fair about forcing young adults out of education? I would have happily got those qualifications but I had to choose between that and living on the street.

That's the world we live in. So yeah, if I have to lie to be given a chance in life, I will. If you've got a problem with that, you'll have to cope with it.

Show quote history

What's fair about getting a job over another young adult like me that not only got kicked out and suffered DV but sweated in 3 jobs and evening college? You wouldn't get it over me if you didn't lie.

Layzees · 31/07/2023 17:09

Also you give off quite the entitled attitude which I would guess probably affects other areas of your job. Bye.

Layzees · 31/07/2023 17:10

Also it's not the world WE live in. It's the world you live in so just stop with the entitlement.

MidnightMeltdown · 31/07/2023 17:12

GetInTheBinThenGetInTheSea · 31/07/2023 13:33

I agree with those saying don't dob.

Every single job I've had, I've got with lies about my qualifications. I had a very difficult childhood and missed a lot of school and nearly all my exams. I tried again to get qualifications as an older teenager but I was forced out of full time education because not being able to claim benefits would have made me homeless. So I have one A level and that's it.

The idea that someone would decide to try and get me fired makes me feel ill. I appreciate this is a different situation, but it still makes my skin crawl. Keep your beak out.

Do you understand that lying on your CV is fraud? It's not just the case that you could be fired from your job, it's a criminal offence.

People can and do go to jail for this. You can get up to 10 years.

It makes me feel I'll that people do this kind of thing.

LadyMonicaBaddingham · 31/07/2023 17:22

sewerrat · 30/07/2023 19:01

dont be a snitch.

Are you twelve?

MidnightMeltdown · 31/07/2023 17:30

nebulae · 30/07/2023 19:06

No good will come of snitching on her.

I had a colleague who stitched on someone in very similar circumstances. Nothing happened to the person who had lied but the snitcher's cards were marked. She ended up resigning after a few months.

That sounds very strange and underhand. In my job, we are actively encouraged to be aware of potential fraud, and report anything that might be suspicious.

Absolutely this person should be reported.

Mamette · 31/07/2023 17:46

If she was a surgeon or something then I would report her. But as it’s her crap performance rather than lack of qualifications per se that is causing the issues, then I would leave it.

She will be hoist by her own petard soon enough, I’d imagine.

GetInTheBinThenGetInTheSea · 31/07/2023 17:50

MidnightMeltdown · 31/07/2023 17:12

Do you understand that lying on your CV is fraud? It's not just the case that you could be fired from your job, it's a criminal offence.

People can and do go to jail for this. You can get up to 10 years.

It makes me feel I'll that people do this kind of thing.

Show quote history

I don't care. The chances of me ever being caught are vanishingly tiny. Besides, it's done now. I've had my career, I was entirely capable of doing it, I was very successful, and I have zero regrets.

DinnaeFashYersel · 31/07/2023 17:53

She told me she hadn't done it but knew they wouldn't check

It looks just as bad on you for not reporting at the time.

You could find yourself in just as much trouble as your colleague.