On Monday, May 7, Yahoo apologized to its employees for discrepancies about its CEO, hired in January. Apparently, Scott Thompson, does not have a computer science degree after all, even though that information was included in an SEC filing and in several public bios about him.

Questions:

1. If Thompson allowed false information about his educational background to linger in his bio, should he be treated just like any other employee who did the same? Discuss.
2. Why didn’t this issue come up in a background investigation of the CEO before he was hired? Discuss.
3. What should Thompson have done if it truly was an error? Discuss.
4. Look at the slide show regarding padded resumes (at http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/yahoo-ceo-isnt-the-only-leader-who-has-fudged-resume/2012/05/10/gIQARucmFU_gallery.html?tid=ts_biz#photo=1) What one thing surprised you most in this slide show?

Sources:
McGregor, J. (2012). Yahoo’s CEO Scott Thompson’s Incorrect Resume Raises Questions for Tech Company’s Board. The Washington Post, May 8 (Retrievable at http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-leadership/post/yahoo-ceo-scott-thompsons-incorrect-resume-raises-questions-for-tech-companys-board/2011/04/01/gIQAXUB5AU_blog.html)

Staff (2012). Yahoo CEO Isn’t the Only Leader Who Has Fudged Resume – Slide Show. The Washington Post, May 10 (Retrievable online at http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/yahoo-ceo-isnt-the-only-leader-who-has-fudged-resume/2012/05/10/gIQARucmFU_gallery.html?tid=ts_biz#photo=1

Bloomberg Video (2012). Will CFO Tim Morse Head Yahoo?, May 9.