What another shocker. Not only is it now acceptable to lie on CVs, it's also advisable to bang on about how young you are in the hope that will win you a contract as Sir Alan's apprentice.
When The Apprentice candidate Lee McQueen lied about the length of time he'd spent at university on his CV - claiming he'd been there two years when, ahem, he dropped out after four months - he was apparently doing what many other job applicants have done and so should be forgiven.
You could see the sparkle in Sir Alan's eye when he found out poor Lee had no real education and couldn't spell. The business moguls that interviewed Lee told Sir Alan they too had lied on their CVs to get their first job - and that rather than showing dishonesty, it showed committment and a will to get on in the world.
But employment lawyers were inevitably unhappy about the act. Pinsent Masons employment partner Tom Flanagan said: "If the deceit had remained hidden and Lee went on to become the Apprentice, he could well have been in breach of his contract if it was uncovered at a later date."
Just weeks ago Patrick Imbardelli resigned from his position as chief executive, Asia Pacific Region at InterContinental Hotels Group last June, after it was discovered that he'd lied on his CV, Flanagan reminded us.
Now in Lee's case you could see why he had lied about his education. He said so himself - he just wanted to keep up with the other candidates and he had proved his worth during the ten weeks he'd been on the show. Fine, but most candidates don't get ten weeks to prove they're good at a job.
Next there is the age discrimination aspect. My jaw dropped when the tycoons repeatedly told Sir Alan that candidate Alex, 24, "is young, you know" and therefore would make an excellent apprentice.
You can't really blame Alex for playing that card - what else has he got to play? - but employers these days shouldn't listen to it. Yes he could be a partially painted canvas. But so could anyone no matter what their age. Has the age discrimination law really made a difference to these business millionaires?
And lastly, "zany" Lucinda. All she is good for is aromatherapy obviously, according to the businessmen briefing Sir Alan.... WHAT? She's been on the winning team eight out of ten times and when she was team leader she did a cracking job. Ok, she doesn't get on with her team mates that much, but that doesn't mean she's all about flowers and massage oils.
At this point Karen Brady, the MD of Birmingham City FC at just 23, jumped to Lucinda's defence. It is possible to have hobbies and dress colourfully as well as be a businesswoman, you know. It's a pity the men in the room degraded her to just being capable of 'either or'. Nevertheless Lucinda was fired.
Comments (2)
Yes. It happens and rather frequently. However, the offenders often do not know that they are engaged in this activity. Inappropriate behavior and off-hand remarks will sneak up to bite you. As a corporate director for a fortune 500 company, I have been blindsided many times by disparaging remarks made by your management team? The managers don’t realize at the time that they are in a discrimination mode. I detail these likely events in my management book, Wingtips with Spurs. Usually they will ‘get it’ when their depositions start. When you hear the following phrases, stop the offender, offer some education, and hope to goodness no one else heard them. If it happens again with the same person, it may be time to sell the cow. The courts and juries will decide if the remarks are ‘stray comments’ or direct evidence of a discrimination mindset.
• “We need sharp, young people.”
• “We need people who can come in early and stay late.”
• “They’re dinosaurs.”
• “They’re too old to learn something new”
• “We want employees who are young, lean, and mean.”
• “They wouldn’t be able to keep up with the fast company
growth.”
• “We’re looking for longevity.”
• “We need some young blood in this department.”
If a manager allows a culture that tolerates remarks such as the ones above, then the manager will probably get what he or she is asking for. The great leader will remind management on a frequent basis that they should never forget silence is often the best answer. Michael L. Gooch, SPHR http://www.michaellgooch.com
Posted by Michael L. Gooch, SPHR | June 9, 2008 7:45 PM
Posted on June 9, 2008 19:45
Hello,
I would like to know if you have accepted the contract for a role and have put an incorrect job title on your CV, although your taks and responsibilties were roughly the same. can you be dismissed after you start if this is found out for breach of contract?
Bear in mind all the references have been checked and verified.
Thanks,
Aranya
Posted by Aranya | June 15, 2008 9:33 PM
Posted on June 15, 2008 21:33