By the time you publish this, the decision will be made but I am still curious. We hired someone as a collector. The individual is a quick learner, is reliable, diligent, careful and enthusiastic. The problem is that he lied on his application about his academic credentials. I want to keep this employee and I am willing to give him a second chance. The HR department wants me to terminate him immediately. Which of us do you think is making the right decision, and why?

Answer: Lying on an employment application is a bad way to start a professional relationship. Falsifications made by an applicant are grounds for termination. It seems to me that trying to keep this person could damage your reputation and call into question your judgment. Another reason to fire this person is that deciding not to do may establish an inappropriate precedent. Employee dishonesty should be punished, not rewarded.