Classic: You've got to tell Melanie

Casadena

Unethical Fake Job Reference: Joanne, my BFF and co-worker, and Melanie, a former co-worker, both recently applied for the same exciting, awesome job. When the diligent, talented Melanie left our company, I offered to be a reference for her. Joanne told me how intense the application process was—her parents were divorcing at the same time, so she was frazzled—so I expected a call from the hiring company. It never came. Neither Joanne nor Melanie got the job. Recently Joanne confessed that while in my office one day, she intercepted a call from the hiring company; the rep wanted to talk about Melanie’s employability. Joanne told the rep that Melanie was intelligent but also lazy and entitled. She didn’t think the reference was bad enough to tarnish Melanie’s or my reputation permanently and begged for my forgiveness. Joanne is normally a sweet person, and I don’t think she would have done this if she hadn’t been so stressed. My question is, what do I do now? I don’t want to see Joanne hurt.

CharmedPam

I potentially ruined someone’s life because I’m so stressed and my parents are divorcing! Waaah! Forgive me?

Nope.  Not an excuse. Joanne knew what she was doing.

banana468

Joanne may be YOUR BFF but she isn't yours.  Because BFFs do not put their coworkers in situations where the phrase, "If you were my friend you'd overlook this employee transgression" has to be used.

Quite frankly I'd go to HR with the information you have and would write her up.  You don't get to say "I'm under a lot of stress and that's why I threw this person under the bus," as a grown adult.  

Reconsider your friendship with Joanne.  She's told you honestly who she is and you should believe her. 

charlotte989875

How long ago did this happen? If it truly was recent I’d find the company and call them. Tell them you learned the call to you was intercepted by someone who wasn’t truthful about Melanie and you’d like to correct it. They may have filled the role but it could put Melanie back in their recruitment pool for future roles. 

Oh and I think long and hard about telling Joanne’s manager what happened. She just lied about a fellow employee to try and help herself, who’s to say she wouldn’t do that at the current company (or hasn’t already). 

STARMOON44

I would not be friends with Joanne any more, would report her to HR, would tell the reference check person what happened, and tell Melanie. Fully burn it to the ground. 

levioosa

I don’t know what state LW is in, but I’m CA you’re not allowed to give a negative reference. You can confirm someone worked for you, but you can’t say anything negative. So not only was what Joanne did ethically wrong and fucked up, it might have also been illegal. I would be furious if I was LW. 

eta: poor Melanie. 

banana468

And if Joanne pretended to be the LW by answering her phone it was fraudulent.  There is no way that this can slide as something to overlook. 

STARMOON44

levioosa said:

I don’t know what state LW is in, but I’m CA you’re not allowed to give a negative reference. You can confirm someone worked for you, but you can’t say anything negative. So not only was what Joanne did ethically wrong and fucked up, it might have also been illegal. I would be furious if I was LW. 

eta: poor Melanie. 

That’s not really correct, you can give a negative reference in CA. But you need to be careful.