I’ve got a potential employer who I’m trying to strong arm into giving me an offer letter by telling them this other company also wants me. Is it illegal if I create a fake document to show them?

  • Rom [he/him]@hexbear.net
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    1 year ago

    Illegal? Probably.* Unethical? Fuck no. Lie on your resume, lie on your housing application, lie to get a raise. The whole fucking system is trash, don’t play by their rules.

    Probably better to use a fake company though, your potential employer is probably going to google it and might even give them a call.

    *I am not a lawyer.

      • Frank [he/him, he/him]@hexbear.net
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        1 year ago

        Who knows have you looked at the US Code? No one knows what is or isn’t illegal, you need literal teams of lawyers and even then it comes down to the whims of some idiot in a robe.

      • Rom [he/him]@hexbear.net
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        1 year ago

        I’m going to be honest I don’t really know and I’m just guessing. Again, I’m not a lawyer lol. After a cursory google search I would amend that to “it depends on what you’re lying about and who you’re lying to.” If it’s not a government job you’re probably fine.

        But seriously anyone who knows more about this please call me a turbolib and correct me because I’m mostly just talking out of my ass.

        I think the biggest risk in this situation is them saying “we can’t match that so we rescind our offer” and you’re shit out of luck.

      • Cummunism [they/them, he/him]@hexbear.net
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        1 year ago

        worst thing i think could happen is they somehow find out and they fire you. it’s probably only illegal if youre trying to get into a licensed position, medical field, etc

      • spectre [he/him]@hexbear.net
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        1 year ago

        Idk why people won’t call this “fraud” which is illegal. You aren’t allowed to just make up documentation of something that isn’t real, and use it to lie to people, especially when money is involved.

        Does that mean you shouldn’t do it? Idk/IDC tbh

        What sort of consequences would you face? Idk, depends what legal jurisdiction you’re in, but it’s gonna be a problem in most of them

        Would this even get prosecuted? Probably not criminally but idk, you’re probably liable for a civil suit if the company has all their shit in order and thought they could get damages from you.

  • EnsignRedshirt [he/him]@hexbear.net
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    1 year ago

    Honestly, it’s safer to just say that you’ve got another offer you’re considering “just FYI” and leave it at that. You don’t owe them any proof, and it would be weird of them to ask. You’re not an employee, it’s none of their business who else is offering to hire you. You can keep it confidential “by request” or whatever.

    Faking a job offer is more impractical than it is illegal, imo. I would advise against telling lies that have paper trails. Just my two cents.

  • GaveUp [she/her]@hexbear.net
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    1 year ago

    Probably but the company will almost certainly not sue you unless you fuck up so incredibly hard that you cause them millions in damages AND they somehow found out you were lying

    And the odds of either of those things happening is almost 0

    An important thing to learn imo is to be able to tell what is “effectively legal”

  • Finger [he/him]@hexbear.net
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    1 year ago

    Illegal? Yes. Impractical? Well, that depends on the connections you have. If you have partners or associates willing to lie on your behalf, you can accomplish a whole lot.

  • glans [it/its]@hexbear.net
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    1 year ago

    idk your industry or context… if you did have an offer letter would it be normal to just show it around like that?

    for my experience it would be considered… gaush?.. to go flashing something like that. companies would prefer worker compensation to be secret so they can divide everyone up, obscure discrimination etc. I think that it would at best appear indiscreet and tactless. Kind of like the rule about not shit talking past employers at a job interview.

    And yes in most jurisdictions it is illegal to fabricate a letter signed by someone else. Is it likely you’d get in legal problem? No, not worth the HR person’s time. But there are about 100 ways to get caught and you will probably never be employed by either company ever in the future under any terms.

    If you are feeling ballsy, go for it.

  • JakenVeina@lemm.ee
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    1 year ago

    The dictionary definition of “fraud” is…

    wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gain

    The legal definition will vary by jurisdiction and whatnot, but decent chance this qualifies.