Fake doctors note

[Tori-Tori]

What is the name of your state? What is the name of your state? Indiana

What are the possible consequences for turning in a fake doctors note? There was not a real doctors name used or a real clinics name used. It was an email so nothing was ever signed either. Also there is nothing to gain out of this other than keeping the job. No PTO time was used during the absent days.

 

[quincy]

What is the name of your state? What is the name of your state? Indiana

What are the possible consequences for turning in a fake doctors note? There was not a real doctors name used or a real clinics name used. It was an email so nothing was ever signed either. Also there is nothing to gain out of this other than keeping the job. No PTO time was used during the absent days.

If the doctor's note is discovered to be fake, the job you are trying to protect will probably be lost.

 

[Tori-Tori]

But other than loss of job is there any legal threat?

 

[LdiJ]

But other than loss of job is there any legal threat?

No, its just a possible job loss.

 

[quincy]

But other than loss of job is there any legal threat?

If you did not use the name of a real doctor or real medical entity in your fake note, a job loss is your biggest worry.

 

[cbg]

But, when the falsity is discovered (note that I do not say IF, I say WHEN) not only is that job gone for good, but since your soon-to-be-former employer may LEGALLY tell prospective employers why you were fired, you may have trouble finding another one.

 

[Ohiogal]

But other than loss of job is there any legal threat?

Whose email did you use?

 

[Just Blue]

But, when the falsity is discovered (note that I do not say IF, I say WHEN) not only is that job gone for good, but since your soon-to-be-former employer may LEGALLY tell prospective employers why you were fired, you may have trouble finding another one.

And would OP be eligible for UI?? I'm guessing no. OP would not be eligible for UI....

 

[cbg]

I'm guessing no as well.

 

[Taxing Matters]

There was not a real doctors name used or a real clinics name used....Also there is nothing to gain out of this other than keeping the job.

So long as that part is true and assuming this was a private employer then no fraud or other crime was committed and the only risk is losing the job and having a tainted reference for future jobs. If you are a government employee, though, that answer might change.

 

[quincy]

...assuming this was a private employer then no fraud or other crime ... If you are a government employee, though, that answer might change.

I am curious. How would the answer change for a government employee?

 

[xylene]

This sounds like -
IC 35-43-5-3.8. Synthetic identity deception

 

[quincy]

This sounds like -
IC 35-43-5-3.8. Synthetic identity deception

A synthetic identity is a combination of fake data (e.g., fake name) with real data (e.g., a person's social security number) created and used with an intent to defraud.

Based on what has been described here, creating the fake doctor's note was foolish but does not appear to be criminal or rise to the felony level of synthetic identity deception.

But it can get Tori-Tori fired.

Here is a link to IC 35-43-5-3.8:
https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2017/title-35/article-43/chapter-5/section-35-43-5-3.8/

 

[Taxing Matters]

I am curious. How would the answer change for a government employee?

Because false information submitted to their employer might amount to a crime or offense. For example, for federal employees it could amount to falsification of official records, which federal regulations define in detail as follows:

Employees shall not intentionally or with willful disregard make false or misleading statements, orally or in writing, in connection with any matter of official interest. Matters of official interest include, but are not limited to, the following: Official reports and any other official information upon which the Department, the Congress, other government agencies, or the public may act or rely; transactions with the public, government agencies or other government employees; application forms and other forms that serve as a basis for any personnel action; vouchers; time and attendance records, including leave records; work reports of any nature or accounts of any kind; affidavits; record of or data concerning any matter relating to or connected with an employee's duties; personnel records; and reports of any moneys or securities received, held or paid to, for or on behalf of the United States.​

​

31 CFR § 0.211. The key difference here between the private employee and the public one being that falsification of government records can be criminal while generally speaking falsification of a private company's records is not generally in and of itself criminal.

 

[quincy]

Ah. Okay. Thanks for answering my question, TM.

It doesn't appear to me that the fake doctor's note will lead to any criminal action regardless of employer. I just see a (good?) possibility of job termination if the note is discovered to be a fake.