Pragmatism or Principles

I went to Tony and Pru`s party on Saturday and had a great time. It brought into focus a question I have been struggling with for the last couple of weeks; to tell the truth or to lie. Initially the question was around my c.v. and how should I tailor it for different types of work. What would I say if asked and should I bring it up? But then, how do you say, I`ve been sacked for gross misconduct?
Well, I`ve been doing some online surveys to earn a bit of cash, I`m not sure if they are worth it yet because of the time it takes, some very low pay, or even worse, prize draw tickets, and I don`t fit a regular demographic group for my age as I`ve got no kids, but its early days and too soon to tell. The first survey I did was around job hunting.... freaky eh....and one of the screens said, tell the truth on your CV, so it really got me thinking. However, when I have asked people about it, no-one admits to having a 100% honest c.v..
Now I have done nothing to be ashamed of, I made one relatively minor mistake, but aside from that I make no apologies- so, why would I lie about it.
With thousands of people losing their jobs over the last few months its going to be hard enough to get a new job, even without this black mark on my record, and that`s the only reason I can see to lie. Truth or lies, pragmatism or principles, I don`t know?
At the party I told everyone who asked what I did for a living, the truth. The over 45`s didn`t ask- they were too busy having a good time. For the under 45`s, sadly, so much of our self image is tied up in our work. Well I know from how people responded to me at the party, that I am more than my job and this situation. So I think I`ll tell the truth and see how it goes.
This morning I was sitting in a coffee shop in town and a woman at the next table was telling her friend that she had been told not to go into work, but to attend a meeting at 5 oclock tonight. She was distraught and just didn`t know what was going on. Very politely I butted in and gave her some advice, take a friend or union rep with you, ask if you have been suspended, if so ask for the notice of suspension in writing. This is the 3rd person I have met in as many weeks going through this and being treated shabbily by their employer. What`s going on? Is this just a cheap way for employers to shed staff, are they banking on the fact that most people don`t belong to a union and are unaware of their rights?
I`ve been given a date for my appeal and will need to prep for that, but really, jobhunting is my priority now.