Compulsive liar

[deafbob]

We have a compulsive/cronic liar on our maintenance team and I am debating putting in a report on the company SMS.

So far its not a safety issue (the lies) but isnt the SMS there to prevent the chain of events from happening and would this compulsion of lying conceiveably cause something I should be concerned about?

Has ony one encountered this in a worker and what was done to resolve the problem.

What would the implications be if I did enter it in the SMS, would I have to back it up with proof. I;m guessing yes.
Your thoughts would be appreciated.

[DeltaHotel]

I doubt an SMS report will do anything. Unless you have tangible evidence of his lying, and even then it would have to be a safety issue and not just ''shop gossip'' ...

I know a compulsive liar and the only way we have found to deal with his lies is either not bother and carry on the conversation OR (the fun alternative) confront him with the facts and explain to him how we know he's lying at that very moment. Always fun to see a compulsive liar try to crawl out of the hole he or she doug.

Cheers

[hoptwoit]

Don't worry about it too much. I have run into more than a few of these types of individuals. Soon the higher ups will find them out for what they are and they will be promoted.

[Hedley]

Don't laugh - it's true! In my experience, the less-principled a person is, the faster they will climb the management chain of a corporation or bureaucracy, because they tell everyone what they want to hear - like a used car salesman.

The most skilled liars know to keep moving, however, because sooner or later, their house of cards comes tumbling down, when all their lies catch up with them, and they're never around to take any responsibility when everything collapses.

See Enron, Nortel, Bernie Madoff, etc. Very nasty and unprincipled people. And very successfull - they were handsomely rewarded for their pathological lying.

[bombardierfixer]

You go from compulsive liar to politician. It sucks but you'll never catch him 'cause they are good at it! "the truth about the world is that crime does pay..."

[roncoldlake]

I can empathize with your situation. I worked with one that was a lead had at another base. Even though the customer wanted him gone. The company would not let him go because he said what they wanted to hear. When the company lost the contract and we ended up working for the customer. That person lost the leads position. When confronted with lying during meetings the person would act like he couldn't hear you or try to change the subject. This still didn't change his employment because he said what they wanted to hear. I have no doubt that he will get his leads position back. I paid dearly because of this persons lies and lack of knowledge. What saved me during that time was a threat to beat the s##t out of him. This scared him enough. My suggestion to you is to keep a running log with dates times and witnesses. Eventually he will slip up and when he or she does you will have the record to protect yourself and those around you. Sadly to say you have to watch your back and there is nothing in place to root these people out. It is how the trade has evolved.

[Big Pistons Forever]

The question to ask is does this individuals lies creat an unsafe condition? If he says "yes I did the dual inspection" when you can prove he did not than you have a clear safety issue which management should deal with using the disciplinary system. If he says, Joe is screwing Bill's wife when he knows this is untrue than he is being a pain in the ass and just ignoring him is probably the best solution, although a "tune up" in the parking lot after work lot can sometimes be very effective.

[deafbob]

A tune up in the parking lot is not possible. Its not personal so its not hurting the individual but its so tiring listening to details of company meetings not attended and stories of their own self worth and accomplishments.

My point is these people don't know they are lying so do they belong in aircraft maintenance.
Will one small lie create a chain of events and cause a loss of life and more important what is managements role in it knowing this person is a cronic liar.

[bombardierfixer]

Unfortunatly it sounds like he's just "that guy". You're life wouldn't be complete with out "that guy". We have one, although it got to the point where it appeared he was abusing our very generous sick day policy. Just before the crew riot began he was reigned in now he needs a sick note every time he calls in sick I guess as long as saftey isn't threatened then you're stuck with him. Ostrcization always works...

[jsmetalbashers]

Have worked with both kinds. First is the one who is harmless to the general public, tells BS stories about how him and a buddy were out boating one time and the boat sank. Luckily they were able to swim to shore, happened that the landowner was MEL GIBSON! lol. Well Mel was nice enough to help out in any way he could.
The other lies about there knowledge and work experience and inevitably is discovered covering up crap work and gets turfed. #1 is nice to have around for comedy relief, #2 is not.

[Luap]

is he a good mechanic?

If not and his bullshit is taking the team down then fire his ass. Talking from experience.

[robertw]

I would refuse to work with or sign out any of the work the guy does. Inform management that this individual's word can not be trusted further than he can be thrown. A lot of this industry is built on trust and if you can't trust the guys you work with or who work for you, then they don't belong in the hanger.

[badnewz]

[quote="deafbob"]We have a compulsive/cronic liar on our maintenance team and I am debating putting in a report on the company SMS.

So far its not a safety issue (the lies) but isnt the SMS there to prevent the chain of events from happening and would this compulsion of lying conceiveably cause something I should be concerned about?

Has ony one encountered this in a worker and what was done to resolve the problem.

What would the implications be if I did enter it in the SMS, would I have to back it up with proof. I;m guessing yes.
Your thoughts would be appreciated.

As this (so far) is not a safety issue, I personnaly would not file a SMS report. I would monitor it closely to ensure it does not evolve into one. Then with the correct information you have proof to file. If its maint or ops related show him the proof in the manuals. If its lies are related to ie. joes wife or other issues which may frustrate you, I like the previously mentioned parking lot chat to clear the air. Sometimes people need to have a life altering moment. lol. Good Luck!

[CBAME]

I have found most of those losers end up isolating themselves then eventually remain quiet and move on.

It is frustrating watching a guy who is full of BS move up and get raises before you, but in time they usually get what they deserve.

[Heliian]

I'm chuckling because one day he's gonna be your boss. The world is full of bullshitters man, if it's not a safety issue then ignore the loser and move on. If at any time it becomes a real safety issue then go SMS on his ass. If I had a nickel for every person i've met/worked with that is full of shit, I'd be rich. You should see some of the jackasses i've had to put up with over the years and I'm sure most people here have had to also. Be careful with liars though, if you piss them off or confront them, they'll just go to your superiors and tell more lies to make you look bad. And remember, "he who laughs last, laughs the hardest"

Just smile and nod.

[ballstothewall69]

good luck