What a Fraud!

The economy is tight, and there is competition among applicants to land jobs. This setting is expected to lead to an increase in the number of applicants who will misrepresent their background and credentials. The hope, of course, is that this bit of fudging will help them get the job. The misrepresentations might involve a change in the date of birth, shifting a college major, or maybe even the fabrication of a degree. There may also be lies about criminal records. The fact of the matter is that these misrepresentations, whether "little white lies" or major fabrications, are fraud. It is expected that fraud will be engaged in by approximately 30 percent of job applicants.

Critical Thinking Questions

1. Do you think fraud on resumes and job applications is an important issue for organizations? Why or why not?

2. Sometimes qualifications and credentials are important. For example, do you think it is important that your professors actually have the required qualifications (e.g., PhD) to teachuniversity-level classes?

Is it important that your doctor have the qualifications that the medical board indicates areneeded? Why?

3. If a fraudulent imposter can perform the job, what's the harm?