Chance Fisher was hired a little over a year ago for an accounting analyst position at Wedgewood Credit Union. Wedgewood has more than 30 branches located throughout northern Indiana. When Chance was hired, the Credit Union posted the opening internally, contacted local colleges, and advertised the position in area papers. The Credit Union required three years of experience in finance/accounting and a college degree in accounting.

Chance was a storyteller and could always one-up others. When Carrie returned from her grandparents' fiftieth anniversary to Disney, Chance had to take charge of the group and talk about his trip to the Great Wall of China. One evening, at a social function, Dave asked Chance's wife about their trip to China. Her response was "What trip to China? We have never been out of the country!" When David and others confronted Chance about the Great Wall trip, he admitted that he had made up the story, but then added that "everyone embellishes a little bit."

Chance's performance was good, and his most recent performance appraisal showed him to be a "good or better" performer in relevant categories, except for "teamwork." Basically, Chance performed most tasks assigned in a satisfactory manner. Bob Harmeyer had spent time discussing Chance's storytelling and the need for open and honest communications.

On Tuesday night, Michele Kay was with a friend at the local college library. As she looked across the room, she saw Chance and he appeared to be studying. When Michele's friend asked who she was staring at, she responded, "One of the guys I work with." The friend inquired, "Do you mean Chance? He is in two of my accounting classes."

Michele and a couple of the accountants at Wedgewood were talking the next day about what, if anything, Michele should do with the information. It appears that Chance might not have the degree that he needed to get the job.

Reflect and comment on the following questions:

2. How pervasive is the embellishment of rsums?
4. It appeared that someone failed to check Chance's rsum! Who should have the responsibility for verifying that the information applicants submit is honest?
6. If you were Michele or one of the other coworkers who believe Chance got the job under false pretences, what would you do? Why?
8. If you were one of Chance's coworkers, what would you want the Credit Union management to do? Why?
10. You are Chance's immediate supervisor. HR, after investigation, has discovered that Chance did cite a baccalaureate degree in accounting on his rsum, and again when he filled out the company personal record sheets. What will you recommend as a course of action? Why?

FOOD FOR THOUGHT QUESTIONS

2. When hiring an employee, which is more important:
   2. the past work performance of the potential employee,
   4. the way the individual will fit in with other employees in the accounting department, or
   6. the employee's honesty and trustworthiness?
   8. Why might there not be a clear answer to this question?
5. If Chance is retained in his current position, what might be the reaction of the other employees?