Dear Evil HR Lady,
A couple of years ago I was falsely accused of something that erupted into a huge scandal. (Well, huge in our area.) My name was in all the papers and if you search on my name lots of bad things pop up. I didn’t actually commit the crime of which I was accused and the prosecutor ended up dropping charges, but nevertheless, my reputation was destroyed.
I was fired from my job as part of this mess and I’ve been at home with the kids ever since. I want to go back to the workforce, but honestly I’m scared to death to apply under my legal name. Can I apply under my maiden name instead? What will happen if I get hired and then say, “Oh by the way, I’m not Jane Doe, I’m Jane Jones?”
To read the answer, click here: Trying to hide your scandalous past
This sounds like a no-win situation. However, I agree with your advice – be upfront about it. Trying to “hide” it – no matter what the reason – will come across as deceiving the employer.
Even if they hire Jane Doe and later find out she is, in fact, that Jane Jones, they could be so ticked off that they will start looking for reasons to fire her. And that is not an enjoyable work situation.
On the other hand, owning it might help with employers who are willing to give her a “second” chance.
P.S. I do hope that “Jane Jones” writes a follow up letter to let everyone know how she does as I have often wondered how such falsely accused folks deal with it later. (I was especially interested in how the falsely accused Duke Lacrosse players found work after school. As one of them said, nothing he ever does will change the fact that this is what the newspapers will report about him when he dies)
He needs to save a baby from a pack of slavering wolves in a snowstorm, shield it with his own body while stomping an SOS in the snow and simultaneously keeping a hungry bear at bay. They’ll still report it, but the baby thing will come first. 🙂
Seriously, I hope we get an update too. I’ve wondered this myself. It’s hard enough for someone with a conviction to get a job; what about someone who is falsely accused? If you say “I wasn’t involved,” no one will believe you because the press so often slants it as if you are guilty first.
I didn’t change my name when I got married. I’ve never gone by my husband’s name. After reading your article I was curious and googled my name with his and boom! The first thing to come up were photos of my at his last family reunion. In fact there were several links that appeared – even though I have never, ever used his last name.
Your advice is spot on: don’t try to cover it up. With the internet there are no more secrets.