Should I expose my colleague?

Spirit_2

If he claimed to have the degree and it was one of the criteria for doing the job, then he has committed fraud if he does not have it. If you have concerns about the authenticity of his qualification then you should raise your concern.

If it was not a "must have " then work will not be concerned and apart from bursting his bubble I am not sure what you get out of it. You could suggest to him that you and he look for common friends amongst alumni. It may get him to reduce the boasting at least, or possibly an opportunity to check your be;ief in case you are wrong.

barbarawright

If you're going to expose him for anything, it should be the workplace bullying which is far more serious than lying on a CV (which isn't that uncommon)

villandry

Having been a victim of workplace bullying myself many years ago I agree that this is not something to be ignored. I also think that his boasting/lying goes hand in hand with the bullying.

paddy's_mum

Honestly? Leave him to it.

Why risk making yourself look envious or vindictive or in some other way 'nose out of joint' when you can sit back and bask in your own scholastic achievements from the high ground of truth.

Are your colleagues as bright as you are? Do you think that not one of them has the wit to work him out?

tea_lover

How on earth can you find out whether he has the degree he says he has or not?

villandry

I have no way of knowing what his actual degree is, but I do know that it isn't what he claims it to be.

liuhutOz

Based on everything that you've put, I would have a quiet word with the manager.

Detroit

If the degree from that uni was an essential requirement for his job, I would have thought the company would have verified it at the time of application.

However, if they didn't, you're sure of your information, and you think it's in the business interests that the company know, for example, if he's on the company website with the degree and uni listed, report your concerns to a manager. Otherwise, I'd save my energy for what's important here.

When a colleague creates such a toxic atmosphere as this, it really should be addressed.
Can one of you not stand up to him when he bullies others and tell him his behaviour is inappropriate, and that you will report him if he continues?
Surely not everyone in the workplace is frightened of this man?

Can you not challenge him when he claims to have done work someone else did, pointing out the contribution the other person made?

When he boasts, can you not cut the conversation short with a 'thats great john' and change the subject?

If he's lazy, can you make sure you don't cover his work and wait for your bosses to notice he's not productive?

As others have said, the bullying aspect of his behaviour is very serious, and needs tackling. You have obviously gone to considerable trouble already in researching this person, so it clearly matters to you a great deal.
Perhaps then you could take the lead in bringing the poor behaviour to the attention of your employers.

pollypenny

Bide your time and be careful. The whistle-blower is often the one who suffers, albeit in subtle ways.

PasturesNew

pinkshoes wrote: »

I would become his new best buddy! You did, after all, go to the same uni... So you have something to bond over!

You could start reminiscing together, so ask him about his tutor, names of other people on his course etc...

Be subtle, but let slip your mate was a tutor there so you are familiar with lots of the staff. Perhaps even ask if he remembers a professor that didnt even lecture there and see if he says yes.

I'd go down this route .... simply "innocently" making him feel very uncomfortable, hoping it'll at least make him less tiresome to me ... with the added bonus that I'd get a nice warm feeling inside knowing "I know you're a liar ... and you don't know I know ... and now you're squirming and I feel GOOD about that".