The idea of faking it till you make it has gone too far. Some UAE firms are now so swamped by exaggerated CVs that they have turned to private investigators to help verify jobseeker credentials. As reported in The National last week, this deceptive self-aggrandisement often crosses the border into blatant fraud and jobseekers are being warned that such dishonesty could fall foul of article 399 of UAE law, resulting in fines, deportation and possible jail time of up to three years.
This deceitful behaviour is not just an issue for the UAE and it goes way beyond CVs. The first 10 years of the new millennium have been referred to as the decade of deceit; remember the weapons of mass destruction? The second decade seems no less dishonest. American historian Daniel Boorstin argued that we have entered the post-truth era, an age where being believable has become an acceptable substitute for truth. In short, we are living through a global integrity crisis.
The levels of deception are varied, from pseudologia fantastica (pathological lying), to politely wriggling out of an unwanted appointment (white lies).
A common theme, however, is the motivation to get something we want, whether that is praise, attention or a job, or to avoid something we don’t want, such as blame, punishment or negative appraisals. Perhaps our societies have become more competitive, perhaps we want what we want, more than ever before. Greed and deceit are, after all, close cousins and related vices.
Lying, however, is as old as language and misrepresenting our credentials is nothing new either. In the 15th century, Lambert Simnel, the great pretender, falsely claimed to be Edward Plantagenet, the 17th Earl of Warwick and true heir to the English throne. This particular fraudster was found out but some fakers do make it and so persist.
Not only do we refuse to desist, it seems that the frequency with which we engage in this kind of behaviour is rapidly increasing. Furthermore, our attitude towards this type of dishonesty also appears to be more accepting than it once was.
Research published by Exeter University’s Centre for the Study of Integrity in 2012 documented a clear increase in so-called “low level dishonesty” across the UK. The survey, called the integrity test, included questions about lying on job applications, finding money in the street and not reporting accidental damage done to a parked car.
Between 2000 and 2011, the two times the survey was carried out, levels of dishonesty rose significantly, irrespective of social class, education or income. Women were, on average, more honest than men and the older age groups were more honest than the under-25s.
Only 33 per cent of the under-25s thought lying on a job application was unjustifiable while 55 per cent of those over 65 years of age categorically condemned the practice. This age-related effect suggests that the situation might have to get worse before it can get better.
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Read more from Justin Thomas:
Separating children from parents can do lifelong damage so why is Trump tearing families apart?
Third culture kids are a by-product of globalisation – and that's no bad thing
Anthony Bourdain's tragic death shows depression has many faces
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Taking a tough stance on CV fraudsters is a good first step. But what about the people with CVs listing legitimate qualifications that were obtained by cheating on exams, buying essays and engaging in other more innovative forms of academic dishonesty? The integrity crisis starts well before we craft our first CVs and a long time before we enter the workforce.
A biannual comprehensive survey of US high school students known as the Report Card on the Ethics of American Youth routinely reports increasing levels of dishonesty, specifically cheating, stealing and lying.
Surprisingly, despite the high levels of dishonesty reported, the vast majority of students (93 per cent) say that they are satisfied with their ethics while 77 per cent said: “When it comes to doing what is right, I am better than most people I know.”
If our young people increasingly feel that lying and cheating for personal gain are acceptable, then forget the decade of deceit – perhaps we are heading for a millennium of mistrust.
Prevention is better than cure; it is also better than punishment. By the time we become the type of adult who thinks lying on a resume is harmless, matters might already have advanced too far to change this outlook, although not impossibly so.
Fake CVs are a symptom of a deeper problem though, one that is best addressed in childhood and adolescence. We need to do more at home, in our schools and in society in general to promote integrity, authenticity and humility.
The UAE’s recently launched moral education initiative is a good example of an activity that might have a positive impact on this rising tide of societal dishonesty. Perhaps one day “fake it till you make it”, that misguided mantra for our modern age, will completely fade from collective memory.
Dr Justin Thomas is professor of psychology at Zayed University and author of Psychological Well-Being in the Gulf States
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THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
The low down
Producers: Uniglobe Entertainment & Vision Films
Director: Namrata Singh Gujral
Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Nargis Fakhri, Bo Derek, Candy Clark
Rating: 2/5
Chinese Grand Prix schedule (in UAE time)
Friday: First practice - 6am; Second practice - 10am
Saturday: Final practice - 7am; Qualifying - 10am
Sunday: Chinese Grand Prix - 10.10am
The drill
Recharge as needed, says Mat Dryden: “We try to make it a rule that every two to three months, even if it’s for four days, we get away, get some time together, recharge, refresh.” The couple take an hour a day to check into their businesses and that’s it.
Stick to the schedule, says Mike Addo: “We have an entire wall known as ‘The Lab,’ covered with colour-coded Post-it notes dedicated to our joint weekly planner, content board, marketing strategy, trends, ideas and upcoming meetings.”
Be a team, suggests Addo: “When training together, you have to trust in each other’s abilities. Otherwise working out together very quickly becomes one person training the other.”
Pull your weight, says Thuymi Do: “To do what we do, there definitely can be no lazy member of the team.”
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
A little about CVRL
Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.
One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases.
The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
Mica
Director: Ismael Ferroukhi
Stars: Zakaria Inan, Sabrina Ouazani
3 stars
SPECS%3A%20Polestar%203
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ELong-range%20dual%20motor%20with%20400V%20battery%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E360kW%20%2F%20483bhp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E840Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20automatic%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20touring%20range%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20628km%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E0-100km%2Fh%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204.7sec%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETop%20speed%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20210kph%20%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh360%2C000%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeptember%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RACECARD%20
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City's slump
L - Juventus, 2-0
D - C Palace, 2-2
W - N Forest, 3-0
L - Liverpool, 2-0
D - Feyenoord, 3-3
L - Tottenham, 4-0
L - Brighton, 2-1
L - Sporting, 4-1
L - Bournemouth, 2-1
L - Tottenham, 2-1
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
The%20Genius%20of%20Their%20Age
%3Cp%3EAuthor%3A%20S%20Frederick%20Starr%3Cbr%3EPublisher%3A%20Oxford%20University%20Press%3Cbr%3EPages%3A%20290%3Cbr%3EAvailable%3A%20January%2024%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Frida%20
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