CV liars could face the sack

Lying on your CV to obtain a new job can lead to getting more than a slap on the wrist, warns Preston based law firm, MWR Solicitors.

Previous research shows that one in four CVs submitted with job applications contained at least one lie. The most common discrepancies found on CVs is the over inflation of the employeeís qualifications or their previous salary.

Other areas that are often exaggerated include benefits, length of service, absenteeism record and job title at their previous employer. There was even some evidence of applicants quoting fictional foreign universities where they had gained their ëdegreeí from.

However, Sadiq Vohra, a partner and employment law specialist at MWR Solicitors, warns that CV fraudsters will face the sack if found out. He said: ìAlthough it is the companyís responsibility to perform the appropriate checks and references, it is still fraudulent to lie about any part of your background when applying for a new job.

ìWith the growing cost to employers to carry out the appropriate checks, many donít carry out these checks properly when employing a new staff member.

A report by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development showed that if applicants thought that there was a reasonable chance of getting away with it, a significant proportion of them would enhance the truth if it gave them a better chance of getting the job.

Sadiq adds: ìEmployers have every right to take action should they find out that one of their employees misled them to obtain a job with them.

ìI would expect a reasonable employer to treat it as a matter of gross misconduct and put the employee through the disciplinary procedure, which may result in dismissal.î