Telling fibs to get a job

big_white_dog84 · 11 Jul 2006 at 15:49

I start a graduate training scheme on Septmeber 4th. I have applied for a job as a delivery driver with a local supermarket and if I get an interview I'm not sure whether I should tell them I'm only available til September.
Obviously it would reduce my chances of getting the job - if I don't tell them I could still do a good job for them for about 6 or 7 weeks (I don't think they will spend much time training me to drive a van).

Morals vs money

Zefan · 11 Jul 2006 at 15:51

The worst you can get is them refusing you a reference, which is actually really really bad.

big_white_dog84 · 11 Jul 2006 at 15:51

I won't need a reference from them cause I have already lined up the next job to go to.

Zefan · 11 Jul 2006 at 15:54

Had any previous jobs though? When you come to move from this next job you have lined up the employer will almost certainly require 2 references.

Vonhelmet · 11 Jul 2006 at 15:56

If they ask you, tell them.

If they don't, then it's all good.

Van Hellseek · 11 Jul 2006 at 15:58

i've done this before. just don't say anything and while you work for them try to make a good impression. then make up some (believable) excuse for why you have to leave and you'll still get a good reference.

no harm done.

just remember, at the end of the day it's all about number 1.

Tru · 11 Jul 2006 at 16:01

These damned supermarkets quite happily force farmers and butchers out of business. Morals? Aye right. See if you can write off a van or two while you're there.

big_white_dog84 · 11 Jul 2006 at 16:13

OK - I have decided not to tell them unless they ask. I am moving house around the time of my new job anyway so I will just say the new commute has made the job a pain in the backside and leave.
References not a problem.

locutus12 · 11 Jul 2006 at 16:14

if you can do the job, then lie through your teeth.

Zefan · 11 Jul 2006 at 16:14

Economical with the truth

big_white_dog84 · 11 Jul 2006 at 16:17

Of course I don't even have an interview yet!

Sirrel Squirrel · 11 Jul 2006 at 16:25

I'd go with the don't tell them about it and then one month before you have to go to uni hand in your notice with some bs excuse.

n3vrmind · 12 Jul 2006 at 01:22

Zefan said:
The worst you can get is them refusing you a reference, which is actually really really bad.

I've been told by a few people that apparently theres been some change in the law that means they cant refuse a reference any more, perhaps someone in the know can provide further info to prove/disprove this

Zefan · 12 Jul 2006 at 01:24

n3vrmind said:
I've been told by a few people that apparently theres been some change in the law that means they cant refuse a reference any more, perhaps someone in the know can provide further info to prove/disprove this

What it is is that they can't give you a BAD reference any more, but what they can do is refuse to give one at all, which just looks awful.

n3vrmind · 12 Jul 2006 at 01:28

Zefan said:
What it is is that they can't give you a BAD reference any more, but what they can do is refuse to give one at all, which just looks awful.

No seriously i've been told (and not in a 'your so incredibly gulible' way) that as well as not being able to supply a bad reference they also cannot refuse to give a reference.

still means they can give a reference that just says '<name> was employed by us from <date> to <date>' and the point will be made by the omission of anything positive

ESP/BSS · 12 Jul 2006 at 08:59

n3vrmind said:
No seriously i've been told (and not in a 'your so incredibly gulible' way) that as well as not being able to supply a bad reference they also cannot refuse to give a reference.

still means they can give a reference that just says '<name> was employed by us from <date> to <date>' and the point will be made by the omission of anything positive

My understanding is that a bad reference can be given, but most companies won't because they could be held liable for doing so if they can't prove their reservations about an individual. It's easier to refuse to provide one.

Equally, I believe it's possible for a company to be held liable if they say someone is wonderful in a reference and they turn out to be quite the opposite. I suspect this is why my employers will only confirm that you were employed by them in role x for y time. They won't give references period.

FunkyT · 12 Jul 2006 at 09:04

n3vrmind said:
still means they can give a reference that just says '<name> was employed by us from <date> to <date>' and the point will be made by the omission of anything positive

That's a standard reference for Tesco (regardless of how good/bad the person was).

Vertigo · 12 Jul 2006 at 09:44

Ask yourself how you'd feel if you were the "other" bloke looking for a full-time delivery job and missed out because someone else lied to get a bit of temporary work.

Cookie-Monster · 12 Jul 2006 at 09:46

ESP/BSS said:
My understanding is that a bad reference can be given, but most companies won't because they could be held liable for doing so if they can't prove their reservations about an individual. It's easier to refuse to provide one.

Equally, I believe it's possible for a company to be held liable if they say someone is wonderful in a reference and they turn out to be quite the opposite. I suspect this is why my employers will only confirm that you were employed by them in role x for y time. They won't give references period.

Woohoo someone got it right,

every damn job thread someone says they cant give a bad reference, its utter tosh, they wont for the fear of legal reprisals unless they can substantiate it, for example if employee x was poo they'd just confirm dates and times, if employee x was fired for gross misconduct they'd say so as they would already have the proof as they'd need it to fire them.

Sequoia · 12 Jul 2006 at 10:32

Cookie-Monster said:
Woohoo someone got it right,

every damn job thread someone says they cant give a bad reference, its utter tosh, they wont for the fear of legal reprisals unless they can substantiate it, for example if employee x was poo they'd just confirm dates and times, if employee x was fired for gross misconduct they'd say so as they would already have the proof as they'd need it to fire them.

You and ESB/BSS are both right. You absolutely can give a bad reference, but if you want to be able to avoid losing a potential lawsuit, you need to be able to justify that it was not just accurate, but fair and balanced. You need to be able to justify specific negative aspects, but you also need to present a fair overall impression.

But this is why a lot of companies decline to give anything much more than a bland confirmation of facts, such as 'employed on such-and-such a date, left on such and such a date, job title', etc. Many references have a complete absence of any subjective opinions .... and that often speaks volumes, by inference.

Telling fibs to get a job

Wise Guy