Lying on your resume: How it can cost you your job
When applying for a job, it can be tempting to stretch the truth—whether it’s exaggerating your experience, tweaking your employment dates, or leaving out jobs where things didn’t end well. Many job seekers assume that a little white lie won’t matter once they land the role.
However, as a case before the Fair Work Commission (FWC) shows, dishonesty in a job application can come back to bite you. If an employer discovers that you misrepresented your work history or qualifications, it can be grounds for immediate dismissal—especially if trust and integrity are critical to your role.
The Case of Charles Tham v Hertz Australia
In the case of Charles Tham v Hertz Australia Pty Ltd, an employee was fired after his employer uncovered deliberate misrepresentations on his resume. Tham had altered the dates of his previous employment and left out certain jobs—particularly those where he had been dismissed or had taken legal action against his employer.
Hertz argued that this deception undermined their ability to trust him. As a Vehicle Service Attendant, his job required a high degree of honesty, particularly when handling returned rental cars where customers may have left behind valuables. The company believed that if he was willing to lie to get the job, he might not be trustworthy in the role itself.
Tham challenged his dismissal, but the Fair Work Commission ultimately ruled against him. The FWC found that his resume misrepresentations were intentional, significant, and directly relevant to his job, giving the company a valid reason to terminate his employment.
Why Lying on Your Resume Can Lead to Dismissal
Many people assume that minor exaggerations on a resume won’t have serious consequences—but this case proves otherwise. There are several key reasons why dishonesty in a job application can lead to termination.
1. Employers Can—and Will—Verify Your Work History
With access to background checks, reference calls, and industry networks, employers can often uncover misleading or false claims. Something as simple as a quick call to a previous employer can reveal inconsistencies in your stated work history.
If an employer finds out that you lied on your application, it can be enough to justify dismissal, even if you are performing well in your role.
2. It Can Undermine Trust and Integrity in the Workplace
Some jobs—especially those involving financial responsibility, security, or customer service—require a high level of honesty. Employers need to trust that their employees will act with integrity, particularly in roles where they have access to sensitive information or valuable company assets.
In Tham’s case, Hertz argued that his dishonesty about his work history raised concerns about whether he could be trusted to handle returned vehicles and customer belongings. Once an employer loses trust in an employee, the employment relationship becomes difficult to maintain.
3. If the Lie Relates to the Inherent Requirements of the Job, It’s More Serious
Not all resume misrepresentations carry the same weight. The more directly relevant a lie is to the job itself, the more likely it is to be considered serious misconduct.
For example:
A nurse who fakes their qualifications puts patients at risk.
A delivery driver who hides a history of license suspensions could endanger public safety.
A customer service worker who misrepresents their experience may struggle to meet the demands of the role.
In cases like these, dismissal is far more likely to be upheld by the Fair Work Commission.
4. You Could Lose an Unfair Dismissal Claim
If you are fired for dishonesty in your job application, challenging the dismissal can be difficult. The Fair Work Commission considers several factors, including:
Whether the misrepresentation was intentional or an innocent mistake.
Whether the lie was relevant to the job and affected trust.
Whether the employer gave the employee a chance to respond.
In Tham’s case, while the employer did not handle the dismissal process perfectly, the FWC found that the dishonesty itself was serious enough to justify termination. This shows that even if an employer makes procedural mistakes, an employee’s dishonesty can outweigh those errors in an unfair dismissal claim.
How to Avoid Resume Pitfalls
To avoid putting your job at risk, honesty is always the best approach when applying for work. If you’re concerned about gaps in your work history or past dismissals, it’s better to be upfront than to be caught in a lie later.
Here are some key tips:
- Be honest about your work history – If you’ve had short-term jobs, career gaps, or previous terminations, be prepared to explain them.
- If you’ve been dismissed before, frame it professionally – Employers understand that not every job ends perfectly. Focus on what you’ve learned from past experiences.
- Never fake qualifications or skills – Many industries require formal certifications that can easily be verified. If you lack a qualification, be transparent about it.
