Falsification of second language results during an appointment process

Authority

This investigation was conducted under section 69 of the Public Service Employment Act (S.C. 2003, c.22, ss. 12, 13).

Issue

This investigation aimed to determine whether a candidate committed fraud in an external non-advertised appointment process by providing falsified second language evaluation results during the appointment process.

Conclusion

The investigation concluded that the candidate committed fraud when they falsified and submitted second language evaluation results in a Test Results Search Tool report to show that they met the language requirements of the position. The candidate’s actions were dishonest and could have compromised the appointment process.

Facts

While the candidate was being considered for a non-advertised appointment to a bilingual position, the department asked for a copy of their second language evaluation results to validate the second language proficiency indicated in their résumé. The department noted that the Test Results Search Tool report submitted by the candidate indicated they had obtained BBB second language results, while their result in an official report generated by the Public Service Commission of Canada’s Personnel Psychology Centre indicated only one result, an A in the Test of Oral proficiency column. The department put the appointment on hold.

During the investigation, the candidate admitted to using picture editing software to falsify the report, to show B results in 3 columns, when in reality they only had one result, an A in the Test of Oral Proficiency column. The candidate acknowledged that it was the wrong thing to do.

The evidence demonstrated that the candidate acted dishonestly by knowingly falsifying and submitting a report to meet the language requirements of the position.

The evidence also demonstrated that the appointment process could have been compromised if the department had not compared the results submitted by the candidate against the Personnel Psychology Centre’s results.

Correctives actions

Following the conclusion of fraud, the Commission ordered the following:

• that the candidate be eliminated from the appointment process
• for a period of 3 years, the person must notify the Public Service Commission of Canada before accepting any position or work within the federal public service
  • failure to do so will result in the revocation of the appointment
• if the person joins the federal public service within the 3-year period, they must complete the Values and Ethics Foundations for Employees course offered by the Canada School of Public Service, followed by a discussion with their director
  • failure to do so will result in the revocation of their appointment

 

File number: 25-26-01