New workplace, old faces

LegacyUser

Recently started a new position, its a tough learning curve but am loving the freshness of new faces, new location etc.

The problem is I recently heard an old colleague is lined up for an interview in my department (which is quite small so we'll be working quite closely). I get on ok with them but I feel he might be hiding something from his possibly soon to be employees - he was kicked out of our last place of work due to 'fraud' for want of a better word. He basically extensively falsified some work (really really serious in our field), got found out and was shown the door - it was a pretty messy situation that only got resolved recently and while I wasnt dragged into the mess I felt really let down as I was given the impression that was not the reason at all.

Question is, I'm not sure I could work with him again. Certainly I'm pretty sure he's not telling the new employers (should he get the job I suppose but there is a good chance given how strong his CV might look) his history. Should I take any responsibility in telling my employers what I know? If for any reason he should repeat his previous mistakes I'd fear by association that I never spoke up in the first place and I'd find it hard to watch people take his word on anything as having known him years I got suckered in a lot too.

Big Bag of Chips

It's up to the prospective employer to check references. Is what you know hearsay? Someone told you what happened, and they heard it from someone else who was there?

I'd stay out of it if I were you. If you do go to them with the information, you may come across as a trouble maker who doesn't want an old colleague on your new turf!

Meant to add, if your current employer approaches you and asks you if you know him, then you could probably put forward what you know, or rather have heard. But I don't think it's your place to volunteer the information.

P. Breathnach

It's not your place to get involved in your employer's recruitment policy and practice unless you are asked. This is particularly so when you are yourself a "new hire".

You have not said what the type of work is - nor should you, as it might lead towards identifying your employer and/or yourself. So I must guess a bit. First, if he repeats his misbehaviour pattern, would you be able to see it happening? If so, that might be the time to warn your employer. Second, if he misbehaves, would it impact directly on you in the sense of putting your job or your reputation in the firm at risk? If so, then it might be appropriate to have a confidential and very guarded word with your line manager.

It might be that he has learned his lesson, and could in the future be a trustworthy and useful colleague.

Let thing play themselves out, but be vigilant.

Merkin

I'd say it but then again, I'm about as forthright as a jackjhammer.

If it was something as serious as the consistent falsifying of documents then that's pretty serious and I'd feel I had to say something. I think everyone deserves a second chance, don't get me wrong, but he can't exactly have the fresh start he craves if he is working in close proximity to someone who knows the elephant in the room intimately and it puts you in an awkward position because you are privy to his past and could look in some way complicit if it ever comes out.

If you're well established there and can trust that your disclosure will be treated in the manner with which is was meant then yes, I would say something.

If you don't want to say anything, then should your employer come to you and say "do you know candidate XYZ" then that is your chance to say so.

My apologies, I just reread your post and see you've only just started there yourself. This changes things a little. If they ask you about him, then say something.

Tokyo

OP, I find it hard to imagine that your employer wouldn't contact the guy's previous employer in terms of getting a reference, and if your former employer is giving less than honest feedback, then there may be a bigger picture here that you aren't aware of. You are also assuming that your former colleague is trying to hide something, which may not be the case.

Your colleague may have done something wrong in the past, but he has also paid for it in terms of losing hos job in his old company, and having to go back out on to the job market again. You are not part of the recruiting team for your company, and it's not your place to hamstring him if he is applying for a job there. The man may have very well learned a harsh lesson with his previous job, and may just want to get on with his life. I don't see why you should hamper his opportunity to do that.

LegacyUser

Thanks for the input folks. Youve pretty much expanded on all the thoughts I've been playing in my head. Thing is I'm in a senior position now and this person will be working under me (he's kind of parallel transitioned into a similar role he had before while I've gone up the chain slightly). So some of his work will go through me for signing off (there are people above me who are ultimately hiring him, I wont be involved in the interview or final decisions etc but I will have a role in managing him).

I'm all for second chances, no question. I just fear the awkward moment if my name gets dropped or a link is made between our CVs that we both worked in a similar place what I would do. Ive no idea if he learned his lesson and wouldnt feel comfortable vouching for him as a result. The work is colossal to check so it would be a mountain of work on my part to ensure he had indeed 'learned his lesson'.

I have it on good authority that the references being used arent those that could incriminate him. There is definitely an opening for the panel to ask why certain references arent present but I think there are enough effective references there to sidestep that potentially.

Again, I echo, everything you have said has crossed my mind the last few days. Im not looking to ruin the person or anything, and i wouldnt feel good about relaying what i knew if I had to, but it does impact on my work at the end of the day hence my worry.

Big Bag of Chips

How do you know or how did you find out he is going to be working there? If you are going to be his superior, you could pull him aside and have a quiet word. I don't understand how you are privvy to SO many details about his job application, yet have nothing to do with the recruiting process, or your current employers have no idea that you know him in any way.

If your current employers knew you worked in the same place previously then surely they would come to you asking about him?

I'd just be careful that a lot of what you "know" seems to be second, even third hand information?

Ham Sambo

One word of free advice...be very very careful who you tell this story to, for all you know this story might not be 100% true. If this former colleague of yours has found a new job an was not prosecuted in his previous job then in the eyes of the law he hasn't committed any crime, maybe he did maybe he didn't, all I do know is that if you start telling people what you believe then you could be asking for a lot trouble, that's all I am saying, please be careful that's all.