The Risks of Lying on CVs: Legal and Ethical Implications

An error on a CV? Mistake or fraud? HR will investigate  

Lying on your CV or job application might seem like a shortcut to landing your dream job, but the consequences can be severe, both legally and professionally. Recent controversies, such as the Supreme Court case of R v. Andrewes, highlight why honesty is essential in the job market.

Why Is Lying on CVs Wrong?

Erodes Trust: Employers rely on the information in CVs to assess a candidate's suitability. 

False claims undermine the trust that forms the foundation of employer-employee relationships. For instance, when candidates fabricate qualifications or experience, they not only deceive the employer but also jeopardise organisational integrity.

Unfair Advantage: Falsifying achievements creates an uneven playing field, disadvantaging honest candidates. This damages the recruitment process's fairness and can tarnish an organisation’s reputation if the deception is later revealed.

Legal Consequences of CV Fraud

Under UK law, lying on a CV can amount to fraud, under the Fraud Act 2006. Such acts of fraud could lead to:

Criminal Charges: For example, in the Andrewes case, a CEO fabricated qualifications and managerial experience, resulting in a conviction for fraud and obtaining pecuniary advantage by deception. He faced imprisonment and a confiscation order to recover the financial benefits obtained through his deceit​

Job Termination: Employers can dismiss employees who lie during the hiring process, often citing gross misconduct or breach of contract​

Financial Repercussions: Employers might pursue civil claims for damages caused by misrepresentation, or recover salaries paid under false pretences.

Practical Risks Beyond Legalities

Professional Fallout: Being exposed as dishonest can harm one's professional reputation, making it challenging to find future employment. ("Be sure your sins will find you out.")

Skills Gap: Holding a position based on false claims can result in under-performance, further risking exposure and dismissal.

How Employers and Candidates Can Address This

Employers are adopting stricter vetting processes, including qualification verification, improved reference checks (some employers never follow up on reference checks and never contact a university to see if a qualification is valid) and competency-based interviews. As an applicant, the best approach is to present your skills and experiences totally honestly. Highlighting genuine strengths is far more sustainable than fabricating qualifications​ or claiming workplace experiences you never had in the first place.

In today’s competitive job market, authenticity matters more than ever. Lying on your CV not only risks your career but also undermines the integrity of workplaces. Honesty and transparency, combined with a willingness to learn and grow, are far better strategies for long-term success than dissembling or being a downright liar. 

The recent controversy concerning the UKs Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves (the story was broken by the political news site Guido Fawkes and later carried by the Daily Mail, Times, Daily Express, etc. https://order-order.com/2024/10/24/rachel-reeves-bank-economist-myth-busted) has also brought this issue to greater public prominence. 

Being economical with the truth on a CV (either adding things that didn't happen or removing things that did happen) is never a good idea. 

For advice on properly an honestly creating your CV you can check with an employment coach or CV creation expert. Incidentally, years ago I was a trained and qualified CV coach, but that was a very long time ago and I doubt it's still valid! 

https://www.sarahlovell.co.uk

https://www.theworkpsychologists.com

The above links aren't sponsors, I just thought they might be of potential use to our readers.