Is honesty the best policy?

 

Question

I was recently dismissed from my job, after having spent several years working there as manager. To cut a long story short, I had a disagreement with my assistant manager over something he had done that went against company policy. I told him not to do it again.
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However, while I was away, the circumstances came to the attention of my superiors. My assistant manager was then asked to write a report in which he said it was my fault and he was just following my instructions. After a disciplinary hearing, I proved this was not the case, but was still dismissed for allowing him to do it.
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I was advised to be honest and upfront with potential employers about my dismissal, but after sending about 50 job applications I have still had no luck. Is there light at the end of the tunnel?

 

What the expert says

 

Hannah Bailey, chief operating officer, Chess Partnership

 

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First and foremost, I do think honesty is the best policy. This is a difficult and very sensitive situation, though. As the manager, you had to take responsibility for the actions of your team. However, explaining what happened in full is better left until the first interview when you get to meet face-to-face. This way, a potential employer can make a more accurate judgement.
If, in your covering letter or CV, you have been trying to explain the situation, this may be the reason you haven’t had any success. Personally, I feel this can sometimes put people off. The employer may read more into the situation, particularly as you have been with the same employer for several years. The employer may also think the decision to dismiss you was harsh, considering you were cleared and may therefore think there is more to it than you say. Not going into too much detail in your application and saving it until a meeting may aid interpretation.

 

Another thing that may help your future applications are references. As your involvement in this unfortunate case has been cleared, there should be no reason your previous employer should not be able to give you references, especially if you have had a clear record previous to this incident. Good references would support your applications and assure any future employer that this incident was unfortunate and that you have learnt from it.
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On a final note, I would again encourage honesty. It would be easy to try to cover this up if you feel you keep getting knocked back, but the truth always comes out in the end and by covering it up you would do your reputation far more damage.