by Jenny Reid
In today’s competitive and increasingly scrutinised hiring landscape, verifying a candidate’s qualifications isn’t just a formality, it’s a vital safeguard for organisations and the broader community. The recent case of Zholia Alemi serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences that can occur when due diligence is overlooked.
Zholia Alemi, a woman who worked as an NHS psychiatrist in the UK for over 20 years, was found to have forged her degree from the University of Auckland in New Zealand. Despite her credentials, she was convicted of multiple offences, including forgery, and subsequently sentenced to seven years in prison. The court ordered her to repay over £400,000 to the NHS, stating she had “cheated the public purse.”
This case underscores the profound impact that credential fraud can have, not only on the organisation that unwittingly hires the individual but also on the countless patients whose care depends on qualified professionals. The cost to the NHS, in financial terms, is staggering, but the human cost, missed diagnoses, compromised patient safety, and erosion of trust, cannot be easily quantified.
So, how could this have been prevented?
Thorough verification of qualifications before employment is fundamental. Validating degrees, professional licenses, and certifications through trusted verification services could have revealed discrepancies in her credentials early on. Additionally, a comprehensive due diligence process, including reference checks and background screening, serves as a crucial line of defence against credential fraud and helps protect organisations from reputational and financial harm.
Furthermore, this case highlights the importance of ongoing screening practices. Continuous validation of professional credentials and lifestyle audits can help identify fraud even years into employment, ensuring the integrity of the workforce over time.
Around the world, organisations bear a responsibility to implement rigorous verification protocols. The cost of failing to do so goes beyond dollars, it touches human lives and the trust placed in us by the communities we serve.
Let this serve as a call to action for all HR professionals and hiring managers: Invest in reliable verification processes. Protect your organisation, your people, and your reputation by ensuring every qualification is verified and authentic.
Jenny Reid
Founder, iFacts
Jenny Reid is a Human Risk Expert and Professional Speaker, and the owner of iFacts based in South Africa, a specialist employee screening and vetting service. She is constantly assessing new and innovative ways to remove the people risk in any organisation. Since 2009 when she took over iFacts completely, she has seen the company double in size and hopes to continue this growth. iFacts specializes in employee Screening, risk assessments, employee wellness, investigations, and truth verification. Jenny is a past President of the Security Association of South Africa. Contact Jenni via email jenny@ifacts.co.za
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