WORKERS who lie on their CVs could be forced to pay back their salaries following a landmark court ruling, an expert has warned.
The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered Jon Andrewes, 68, to pay back almost £100,000 after he was found to have forged qualifications to land top jobs at an NHS hospice.
A lawyer has warned workers could have to pay back salaries if they lied on CVs
It comes after he was jailed for two years in 2017.
Andrewes was hired as chief executive of St Margaret’s Hospice in Somerset in 2004 after claiming to have been a partner at a technology firm.
He also falsely claimed to have a PhD and first-class degree.
Following the case, employment lawyer Matt Gingell, a founding partner at employment law solicitors Lombards, told The Metro it could spell bad news for those who falsify CVs and lie about salaries.
“This ruling could have significant financial consequences for employees who are not honest – employers may start to try and recoup salaries,” he said.
Mr Gingell said employers, regardless of the Andrewes case, currently have the right to sack employees who are found to falsify CVs.
He added: “Regardless of the latest case, employers may have grounds to terminate employees’ contracts of employment if they have been found to have been dishonest about their qualifications or salaries.”
In both cases, Mr Gingell said, workers could be let go for summary dismissal.
This means being sacked without notice, wages or a payout.
What rights do workers have?
Even if you’ve not lied on your CV, you still might not know what your work-based rights are.
HOAR spoke to an employment expert who explained your rights if you’re on a zero hours contract.
You’re entitled to include statutory maternity pay and pensions.
But you’re unlikely to get sick pay if you’re off work with a bug.
And you have rights if your boss tries to make your work overtime as well.
Under the Working Time Regulations, an employee can’t be forced to work more than 48 hours a week.
Jo Mackie, head of employment at legal firm Slater and Gordon, previously told HOAR workers only have to work overtime if it’s stipulated in their contract.
“And even if the contract does say so an employee cannot be forced to work more than 48 works per week under the Working Time Regulations,” she said.
She added: “An employer has a duty to provide a safe working environment by law, and that includes making sure an employee is not working too many hours.”
But, it’s always worth checking your contract to see if there’s a clause in there about working overtime.
And while the warmer weather may be behind us, it’s important to know your rights if you want to leave work early due to high temperatures.
