Worried About Fake CV and Qualifications at Work: Should I Confess or Wait?

Dear friends,

I need some help from the HR experts. I hope to receive better suggestions and directions from this site.

I am Krithika Joyappa, working with Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx in Bangalore as an Officer in Corporate Social Responsibility.

During my interview, I provided a fake CV to the organization, stating that I have experience in the CSR sector with a major company, where I worked as a labor supervisor rather than in a CSR role. I also falsely claimed to have a postgraduate degree in Environmental Sciences, which is not true.

I am now extremely worried about this information being revealed to my colleagues. Although Xxxxxx may not fire any employees, I fear that I made a mistake by presenting fake work experience and qualifications.

Before the company takes any action, I would like to know how I can address the issue. Should I apologize and request to be retained, or should I wait for any notifications and then respond?

Please help.
Krithika

Hello Krittika,

Wonder what made you do what you did in the first place!!

But you also need to FIRST decide WHY you want to reveal/confess the mistake. Is it because you are now afraid that you will get caught OR is it because you realize you did a mistake and want to correct it—come what may? The action and method of confession may be the same for both reasons, but the way you handle the consequences will be VASTLY DIFFERENT—take it from me.

But whichever reason prompted you to actually decide to admit your fault/mistake, I REALLY CONGRATULATE YOU—not many people have the guts to practice such things—though there will be 'dime-a-dozen' people who will be ever-ready to preach. IT DOES TAKE A LOT OF GUTS TO DO IT, KRITTIKA. Like Gandhi said, following the path of Truth is not for the weak.

Coming to the choices you have, BEFORE you even think/plan of what and how to do, please REMEMBER THAT IT PAYS TO BE MENTALLY PREPARED FOR THE WORST-CASE scenario—which in your case could be loss of job or promotion AND loss-of-face in your known circles. If you think it will be too much to bear and want to desist from going further, I STRONGLY SUGGEST YOU DON'T DROP THE IDEA. In all such things, it's ALWAYS—without exception—better to come out in the initial stages than later—since the chances of damage to career/reputation or whatever is involved will increase exponentially as time passes—that's the law of nature [just imagine the 'what-if-he/she-confessed-earlier' scenarios of Satyam Ramalinga Raju, the ongoing CMG scam, and many more of such situations/wrongdoings].

Coming to the 'how to implement' part. I would suggest you adopt the written way—a la Gandhi, as described in his "Experiments with Truth" [the episode of his writing a letter to his father for a theft he did during childhood]. Just drop a mail/letter with CC: to whoever you think needs to know—including your boss of course—mentioning BRIEFLY what you did and what prompted you to do it [could be financial/family reasons or anything—but give the actual reasons]. Be as brief as possible, but at the same time cover all the aspects of the mistake. And send the email to at least 2/3 concerned/relevant people—to ensure multiplicity in the response process.

The main reason why I am suggesting the 'written way' is this: quite often in such psychologically-stressing situations, one begins wanting to say something and ends up saying quite something else or maybe in a different way than intended.

AND THE MOST IMPORTANT PART IN YOUR MAIL/LETTER IS: DON'T ASK TO BE RETAINED OR PARDONED/EXCUSED. Leave the decision of what to do to your bosses. Just mention that you are sorry for what you did under the situation and whatever is decided is OK/acceptable with you—and please ensure you FEEL it that way internally and not just say it for them [sort of the difference between hearing and listening—one is a response from the mouth/head and the other from the heart]. This is what I meant when I mentioned in the beginning—be mentally prepared for the worst-case scenario. And if you believe in HIM, have Faith that HE watches and guides your every step. At the end of the day, who knows? Maybe you could be in for a very pleasant surprise!!!

Let me know if you have any queries/doubts. ALL THE BEST.

Rgds,

TS

Dear TS,

Thank you very much for your support. It is not that I want to confess my mistakes... it is to retain my job. It may look very unusual, but I need this job.

I was thinking the person who helped me a lot in getting this job was very rude with me initially to make me learn the processes quickly as he referred me, but I took it in another way and made a mistake by complaining against him. I thought he was torturing me and didn't want me to grow on my own. In turn, I abused him. After a few months, he left the organization because of my behavior.

Today, I understand why he was pushing me to learn the processes quickly. Today, after 2 years, there is no one in the company interested in helping me. I, too, don't have a voice to ask and am still lacking in learning.

Recently, I heard from one of my HR friends that the guy informed our HR head (after quitting the company) that I provided fake information to get the job and asked them to cross-verify with my previous organization and college where I studied.

I am thankful to the company that they won't terminate employees, but I am scared if they take any action that might damage my reputation among my colleagues and friends, then I don't know what I will do.

Please suggest what would be the best thing I can do.

I feel very bad. I tried contacting that guy, but he is unavailable. I sent many emails, but received no replies.

Please help.

Krithika

Dear Krithika Joyappa,

I have masked the name of the company for confidentiality purposes. It seems you made two mistakes: furnished false information and "did mistake by complaining against him as I thought he is torturing me and don't want me to grow on my own. But in turn, I abused him. After a few months, he left the organization because of my behavior."

You realize your mistakes. How you can make amends - it is your call.

Warm regards.

Hello Krithika,

Raj Kumar said it right and with brevity. Whether right or wrong and for whatever reasons, you made the mistakes. Like they say: in nature, there are no right or wrong answers—ONLY consequences. Suggest learning to face the consequences of your actions. Frankly, I think you still haven't realized your mistakes—like Raj Kumar mentioned. The advice you are asking now is more driven by the fear of getting caught rather than a wholehearted attempt to correct your mistakes. And what I mentioned on 22nd posting still holds good. All I can say now is to repeat Raj Kumar's advice.

Regards,
TS

Dear,

From what you say, it is better for you to resign. Suppose they ask you the reason, then orally you can tell them that you are owning moral responsibility for your misdemeanor. If they still insist you to stay, then stay put; otherwise, you will have to find a new job. One learns from your mistakes. At least you can request them to give you a good reference.

Rajan Associates

I entirely agree with Raj Kumar. But while considering the plight of an agonized soul like Kritika, we have to weigh the probabilities vis-a-vis practicalities. In the posts, there are two extremes: one suggested by Rajanassociates and the other by "borntosin". The Gandhian advice of TS has obviously not been heeded, for which he reiterates to follow it. While moderating, Raj Kumar Hansdah has realized the incalcitrant undertone and left the action to Kritika. In the circumstances, we feel there are three options spelled out in the posts: keeping in mind the nature of the employer, she follows the advice of TS with the courage to face the probable raising of eyebrows. Alternatively, follow the advice of Rajanassociates by arranging another employment. The third option is going ahead as if nothing has happened. But for this, she has to muster the courage to face whatever comes. Practically for a girl, this calls for extra boldness to cover the behavior as she feels guilty inside. Out of the three, the advice of TS is more ethical. Now she has to assess the relation of the employers towards her after disclosure of the incidents as she states. It would be better to take the HR into confidence and find out the reactions. Then follow the advice as required by circumstances. In any case, it is a tricky situation requiring to hear her inner voice.

Thank you for your valuable suggestions. I will be discussing the same with our HR and will be searching for a new job simultaneously.

Thanks again,

Krithika