An employee has lied on their CV – what do you do?

Posted on: April 1, 2024

Everyone can be guilty of a little embellishment from time to time…

But what if you discover your employee has blatantly lied on their CV to secure their position?

I’m not just talking an extra month here or there at a previous role.

I mean the big stuff – false qualifications, no industry experience when this is crucial, or perhaps even fabricating whole job roles to give them the experience they need.

You’ll need to conduct a thorough investigation, as this could be classed as gross misconduct, depending on the nature of the role and your business.

Here’s what you’ll need to do:

✅ Gather evidence and ensure you have a clear understanding of the situation.

✅ Consider whether it really impacts their ability to do the role.

✅ Have a private chat with the employee. Allow them to provide their perspective and clarify any misunderstandings.

✅ Keep a detailed record of the process, including meetings, discussions and any evidence collected.

✅ Review your company policies related to dishonesty or misrepresentation. Ensure your actions align with the guidelines you have in place.

✅ Seek advice to guide you properly through the process.

✅ Based on the severity of the misrepresentation, decide on an appropriate course of action. This could range from a written warning to termination, depending on your company’s policies.

Facing challenges with this situation? We’re here to help. Contact us for expert guidance on maintaining trust and integrity in your organisation on 07899 665506 or email us at [email protected].

#EmployeeIntegrity #FakeCV #BusinessEthics #HRGuidance