LIES: I told them I'm working but I'm not

trentlad · 9 Jul 2010 at 14:29

I was working for an engineering company and our team was entirely dependent on one government client, when the recession hit they had no jobs for us. So the company reduced itself by 12% and I was among a few others in our team that were asked to leave.

So I've been applying for jobs but it's been tough getting even so much as a reply from most of the applications, so just for one application I decided to pretend that I was still currently working for my previous company.

Wouldn't you know it, they called me in for an interview.

So now I'm stuck. I have to fill out a form that asks this information again and in one sense I know honesty is the best policy but I'm still stuck. To me if I tell them I was released then it's a major negative, compared to someone who is employed which in comparison is a massive difference.

If I do continue this lie, can they ever tell? I'd ask them not to contact my employer because they don't know I'm looking for another position.

I've been getting unemployment benefit so really that's the only clue, will a company look into that for new hires?? For a new hire new will a company find out that I've been getting unemployment benefits from some kind of tax inquiry?

Burnsy2023 · 9 Jul 2010 at 14:30

trentlad said:
I've been getting unemployment benefit so really that's the only clue, will a company look into that for new hires?? For a new hire new will a company find out that I've been getting unemployment benefits from some kind of tax inquiry?

Surely your P45 from the job centre will let the cat out of the bag...

mattyg · 9 Jul 2010 at 14:31

Just tell them since applying they have made redundancies.

Otherwise if they dont find out until further down the road I believe they can fire you for it.

Antar Bolaeisk · 9 Jul 2010 at 14:32

Just tell the truth, telling lies will do you no favours in the long term.

Von Smallhausen · 9 Jul 2010 at 14:34

I would pull out now.

Ever heard of fraud by false representation ?

Amp34 · 9 Jul 2010 at 14:34

Burnsy2023 said:
Surely your P45 from the job centre will let the cat out of the bag...

Oops, I seem to have misplaced my P45...

mattyg said:
Just tell them since applying they have made redundancies.

Otherwise if they dont find out until further down the road I believe they can fire you for it.

This, as long as you applied only shortly after loosing your job and not months after...

randomshenans · 9 Jul 2010 at 14:34

mattyg said:
Just tell them since applying they have made redundancies.

Otherwise if they dont find out until further down the road I believe they can fire you for it.

This, they can tell when your previous employment finished by the financial paper work.

shine · 9 Jul 2010 at 14:35

Best to do it now rather than getting found out later.

Garyj881 · 9 Jul 2010 at 14:35

Tell them the truth if you get the job.

markweatherill · 9 Jul 2010 at 14:36

Definitely tell them. Just complete this other form with your current, correct, details.

Also: LOL eggface.

Mr^B · 9 Jul 2010 at 14:36

Amp34 said:
Oops, I seem to have misplaced my P45...

And then what, fake some references?

If you lie on a P46 all you do is end up in trouble with the inland revenue as WELL as your next employers.

My advice? Don't take this application any further, and don't lie about something which is ridiculously easy to get found out about next time.

Narziss · 9 Jul 2010 at 14:39

Don't take this application any further, and don't lie about something which is ridiculously easy to get found out about next time.

Amp34 · 9 Jul 2010 at 14:51

Mr^B said:
And then what, fake some references?

If you lie on a P46 all you do is end up in trouble with the inland revenue as WELL as your next employers.

My advice? Don't take this application any further, and don't lie about something which is ridiculously easy to get found out about next time.

No, use a reference from your previous company...

Loads of people misplace their P45's juss means you get put on emergency tax for a while until it all catches up AFAIK.

ajf · 9 Jul 2010 at 14:53

Interesting post.
I was also recently made redundant. Does it really make much difference to a new employer whether you are now unemployed or not?
Surely, if anything that would help as they can see why you are applying?

mame · 9 Jul 2010 at 14:57

I've known people work for a company for a year or two and then just disappear. Then the word gets out that they lied about something seemingly petty on their application and got the sack.

jak731 · 9 Jul 2010 at 14:58

If they do find out at a later date and fire you for it, you will become essentially unemployable. After being fired you will have to put on every new application that you were fired and for what reason. No one will want to employ you.

Not worth the risk tbh.

Morgoth · 9 Jul 2010 at 15:00

jak731 said:
If they do find out at a later date and fire you for it, you will become essentially unemployable. After being fired you will have to put on every new application that you were fired and for what reason. No one will want to employ you.

Not worth the risk tbh.

He could easily just leave it out.

Cosimo · 9 Jul 2010 at 15:00

Don't lie, fill out the form with the correct information.

gambitt · 9 Jul 2010 at 15:01

I've never heard of anyone getting sacked for a "lie" like this. There is petty and there is this. This is nothing. What does it matter to them if stopped working for your previous employer already? As long as you're talking around 2 months and not 2 years.

Pug · 9 Jul 2010 at 15:05

mattyg said:
Just tell them since applying they have made redundancies.

would be a good compromise.