That’s the lesson sure to be learned by a Tennessee auto parts supplier that’s currently fighting two disability discrimination lawsuits.

In the most recent case, brought by the EEOC, the agency is arguing the company tested for legal prescription drugs such as painkillers. According to the suit, the company fired or refused to hire people with “disabilities” (their prescriptions) and failed to keep information learned from the tests confidential, in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

A previous suit was filed on behalf of seven employees by one worker who suffered from chronic back pain, depression and bipolar disorder, was fired after testing positive for “certain chemicals” (her prescription drugs).

She’d never been cited for safety violations, and, she’s arguing, the medicine didn’t affect her ability to work.

Courts will normally let companies use prescription medication as a reason not to hire someone only when there’s a reasonable belief it’ll affect the candidate’s work or cause a safety risk.

We’ll see what the judge says this time.

Cite: EEOC v. Dura Automotive Systems, Inc. and Bates v. Dura Automotive Systems, Inc.

• Changed dates of past employment – Up to 34% of job applicants fudge the dates of their previous jobs to cover gaps in their employment. The good news: This is one of the easiest fibs to catch through reference checks.
• Inflated salaries – One way some dishonest candidates attempt to bargain for better starting pay: lying about how much they’re currently making. For that reason, some companies ask candidates for a previous W-2 form or pay stub before they’re hired.
• Phony degrees – About 20% of resumes have some discrepancy regarding education and other qualifications. They range from degrees listed that candidates never completely earned to degrees purchased from so-called online “diploma mills.”
  
• Criminal records – About 11% of all candidate background checks turn up a criminal conviction. Also, the firm warns, many convicted criminals apply for jobs exclusively at smaller companies, since they’re the least likely to perform full background checks.
• Illicit drug use – Roughly 42% of Americans admit to using an illegal drug during their lifetimes. That’s why many experts recommend drug screening for applicants, especially where safety is a concern.

What’s the biggest or craziest resume lie you’ve ever caught?