Yahoo’s Code Of Ethics clearly prohibits things like falsifying biographical and resume information. Page 13 of that linked document, for example, urges employees to make sure that any information disclosed is clear, truthful and accurate. The legal department should be notified, it says, of any inaccuracies.
Yahoo takes this stuff seriously.
Not seriously enough to do a simple background check on an incoming CEO who fabricates a computer science degree, apparently, but seriously enough to have a really amazing “IntegrityLine” phone number and website to report violations of the code of ethics. Page 44 of the linked document:
And damn if they don’t pick that phone up on the first ring.
“Hi, I’d like to report an omission, inaccuracy or falsification in Yahoo’s business records filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Is this the right place to do that? Apparently the board of directors hired someone to be the CEO and didn’t do a background check on him and now it looks like he made up this computer science degree? I thought that might be relevant since we’re a technology company.”
Uncrunched 
Shouldn’t you know this already? You’re the CEO, after all.
Did you actually call? How did they respond?
Did you actually call them? How did they respond?
Is anyone else curious to see his college transcript? How much CS coursework is needed to self-proclaim a degree??
Interesting. But I spotted on some tech news blog that Yahoo announced slight profit in the first quarter for the first time since the global recession and they were praising Scott for this. If he gets the job done, perhaps he deserves to be the CEO. But again, how did the protocol break is still a question Yahoo needs to answer.
C’mon, was there a response?! Really hoping you did this. 🙂
And…their response?
Did they answer, Scott Thompson formerly CEO for Yahoo now working in the basement answering the integrity hotline, how may I help you today?
lmao…thank you…needed that!
Well put.
If this is an emergency, please hang up & dial 1-800-JERRY-YANG.
Press 1 to report a fake CEO,
Press 2 to report a rogue board member….
Press 5 to re-install that Yahoo toolbar
& finally,
Press 0 if you are Steve Ballmer.
and I thought you said STEVE CASE!!!
nice to see that you updated your linkedin
Can’t wait to hear what they say…
I think most people assume that these integrity programs are for the mere mortals and are not often applied to the upper management.
… Mike, Techcrunch’s Jon Orlin reported yesterday that you are Yahoo’s CEO:
“… Michael Arrington, who is now CEO of Yahoo according to his LinkedIn profile …” — Wow! If this is true, it could be great… or not! — I keep reading that big Y has been a sinking ship for quite a while now…
I love Arrington! Talk about saying it as it is!
I’m shocked that no one has commented on this post… anyway… isn’t using a fake information to get a job at a public company called “falsification of public documents?”.. that’s a criminal offense in our country!!!
Is Yahoo’s integrity line patented?
definitely more novel than slide to unlock 🙂
The question for me is: is he the best man to do the job? Sure he has made a mistake but 20 or so years ago (as we all have), but does that make him any worse at leading Yahoo right now.
Just curious what does facebook’s code of ethics say about stealing ideas and Zynga’s about installing irremovable toolbars on user’s browsers?
that is assuming they have a code