Dear Rekha,
Your situation is indeed a bit disturbing and shattering. But do not worry, just carry a brave professional look.
The observations are :
1. For intentional verbal instructions by a boss, carry his orders but mark a copy to him. A cc to him saying, as advised would have helped.
2. The matter is serious given your forced leave. Just write a polite but professional mail to your Chairman explaining the circumstances and your feelings. Request an audience from him. Keep your mail simple, straight, unemotional but non-complaining. Add that you have the highest regard for him, professionalism and business ethics. Say, you support any fair enquiry if it is deemed essential and you will give your utmost cooperation. Also, explain the process/past of raising invoices in the past under this boss. Emphasis your integrity, honesty and professionalism and that truth and ethics should prevail, come what may..
3. Rendering apology is not the right move. That may prove your guilt. If you render an apology, indicate that is for any unintended error on your part that the management feels occured. Emphasis your long years of service, loyalty and dedication over these years. Emphasise the need for better systems & procedure that will help weed out this problem or similar problems. Apologize for your late suggestions regarding this.
4. Be careful not to criticise your boss or the CFO. They are senior and are more powerful. Just narrate the sequence of events and why your did what you did. Indicate, no dishonesty was meant and you for one will not like to ruin your career. Explain the circumstances and your respect for the boss - "The boss is always right"
5. Anyways, start looking for another job even if the dust settles. This could be a blot on your integrity and the message will spread in your office. Just maintain your calm and a stoic personality.
7. Request that your integrity, honesty, loyalty and dedication not be questioned. Say, you stand by them steadfastly. If there is an error of judgement on your part, you be kindly excused.
You seem to have offended your boss even if he is wrong. His ego may have been hurt. Once you sent the mail, you should not have informed billing deptt not to proceed. You have contradicted yourself, your boss and your department. He may slap insubordination upon you. The invoicing may have some other sensitive story behind it that only your boss and his boss know. Perhaps, that is why he did not give the instructions in writing to you - just not to make it evident or simply to save his skin. The CFO may be trying to settle scores with your boss or trying upmanship on him. Situations could be many.
Last of all, never show your are shattered even if you are. Put up a brave, unemotional front. Sympathies or sob stories do not work here. There are many ups and downs in life but you emerge victorious over time. Time is the best healer. Things may just spring back to normalcy here; you never know. But confidentially, keep applying for another job to safeguard your interests.
Be ready to be warned in writing, or, put on observation/probation on conduct/integrity, suspension or, simply be dismissed. Keep your cool while facing any of the situations. You may want to quietly walk off and take your settlement.
You are presumed to be a part of the management after 18 years in service. Any relief or redressal would not be under labour laws but would typically be a civil suit. That should not be intended as Court cases take decades to settle in India. Then part of the onus of proving circumstantially or vide leading evidence/witnesses in Court may lie on you. Don't think of taking this option (unless you are hell-bent) as it is too stressful/tedious/expensive.
Try for new job avenues. Do some explaining at home, slowly and steadily. They would be caring and would understand your predicament. Family is often the most supportive in hard times. As long as you are honest and consciencous, you will tide over. You may pay the price for an error of judgement though.
Better days will come soon, so do not worry.
Take care..
Rahul
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