Is Britian becoming a nation of liars?

Research undertaken by BackgroundChecking.com, an Experian company, has revealed an alarming level of dishonesty amongst the British workforce, starting the moment a candidate applies for a job.

Of the 1,003 working adults questioned, the vast majority (87 per cent)* said that if they knew that companies thoroughly checked all details on a CV, it would act as a deterrent to falsifying any information. Yet, 66 per cent of people do not believe that employers thoroughly check the details on all CVs and job application forms.

Perhaps more alarmingly for businesses, if it was thought it would go undetected, 39 per cent of people would lie on their CV and a worrying 42 per cent of those questioned claim to know individuals who have falsified information on their CV or on application forms.

If they thought it would go undetected, the most likely types of ëCV fraudí would be salary (23 per cent), level of previous experience (14 per cent) and educational qualifications (13 per cent), followed by dates of employment (10 per cent), job title (9 per cent) and age (6 per cent). Some respondents even felt that ëforgettingí their criminal records or actually faking references was worth falsifying, if they could get away with it!

Steve Bailey, managing director of BackgroundChecking.com, comments: ìThis research has uncovered a worrying level of dishonesty amongst the British workforce and serves as a stark warning to employers. ëChancingí fraudsters seem to be reliant on the fact that prospective employers do not check the information that is stated on CVs and job applications.

ìIt further highlights the need for employers to recognise the threat of employee fraud and ensure that organisations invest in professional background checking. Indeed, 79 per cent of those questioned think that employers should do more background checking of the details on CVs and job application forms.î

And if you think that women can be trusted more than menÖ you are not far wrong. Whilst 43 per cent of the men questioned admitted that they would lie on a CV or application form if they thought they could get away with it, women are more honest, with 64 per cent claiming they would not falsify any information. ìWhich is fine so long as youíre not dealing with one of the third who would lie!î reminds Bailey.