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This item is filed under these categories:
Manipulation Lies and Lying Assertiveness Disciplining Enabling

How do you deal with an employee who lies? He has worked for me for almost five years, and although I am not sure how long the lying has been going on, there’s no doubt that he is not being upfront with me now. Sometimes he withholds important information, and other times he just comes up with a story. When I go back to him and discuss the facts, he always has an excuse or explanation, and he cannot admit that he is wrong or lied. How should I deal with him?


To be truthful, you need to attach some consequences to his lying or he is going to continue to provide you with more fiction. At this point, his lying has only generated discussions with you, along with the opportunity for him to concoct some kind of excuse or explanation which has shielded him from disciplinary action.

If you truly want to put an end to this totally unacceptable behavior, you should take more definitive action the next time he lies to you. In such a situation, you should meet with him in private, present him with specific documentation that clearly proves that he lied to you, and then advise him that future fabricating can lead to termination. You should also consider putting your warning in a written document and having him sign it.

One of the cornerstones of any successful relationship, whether on or off the job, is trust. At this point, your employee is either going to get this message or another one that comes in the form of a pink slip.



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