Facing a Criminal Case: How Can I Approach My Software Firm After 1.5 Years of Silence?

Hi,

I was working as a software engineer at a software firm in Hyderabad. While I was working in the office, my wife committed suicide, and I found her hanging when I returned home during the lunch hour (where I always have lunch at home). Subsequently, a criminal case (Section 304b) was filed against me by my in-laws. Due to depression and various other reasons, I never returned to the office since then.

Now, I want to go back to the office and explain everything to prove my innocence. I believe they respect me and understand who I am. Even though I have no interest in continuing the job, I am concerned about the potential actions they may take against me.

For 1.5 years after the incident, there was no communication between the office and me. Please help in outlining the actions they could take against me and how I can overcome them. I would greatly appreciate your insights.

Thank you,
SK

Hi SK,

If they had to take any action, they would have taken it long ago. It would be better, as Amal said, to start fresh.

Chitra

Dear Sk,

Behind your back, already an inquiry must have been initiated, and you must have been proceeded ex parte. Yes, like Chitra and Amal, I am also of the view that you should start afresh. All the best - God bless

If you have records exonerating yourself from the case, produce those to your old company and request restoration. If not, follow the advice given by the members above.

Hello there,

You can obviously go to your office and clear your settlements. And yes, if they offer you a job, just say yes because the job market is very bad, and it's not that easy to get a job.

Take care and don't worry. That was your past; live in the present and make your life!

First of all, since how long have you not resumed your duties? Is it more than 3 months? If yes, then has the company approached you? Have you received any communication from your office related to your suspension or termination of duties? Have you been granted leaves? What is the case as of now? Are you still on the rolls of the company?

In my opinion, if you have not served them for the past few months, then your termination would have been done, but in that case, you must have received the letter from the company appraising you of the situation. What is the situation as of now? Are you getting your salary? Please contact your HR Department and brief them.

Hi SK,

Definitely, it's not the society that is an idiot - it's perceived notions of an individual that make society appear so. However, moving to your question:

Instead of assuming (as we all tend to do) - why don't you arrange to meet any representatives from the HR dept, preferably the senior-most person. It's obvious that you have been through a tough time, and any person in their normal sense would "NEVER TAKE AN ACTION."

Put yourself in the place of the company and see if you'd take strict actions against an employee who went through a tough time like this. So remove any worries at all... you seem to be burdening yourself with a lot of things. Don't do that.

Reg PF: Irrespective of whether you have communicated or not communicated, you have all the rights to either transfer your PF or close the account. That has nothing to do with the "lack - of - communication" between you and the company.

Reg the salary - kindly arrange to meet the Senior HR rep and discuss the PF, and also talk about possibilities of recovery of salary. Just put it across as a clarification, and I am sure you will have the answer there.

If you are still worried about what "Actions" an employer would otherwise take on an employee for not communicating/informing for such a long time - please let us know if they had sent any emails/letters/show cause notice? Because only if they have raised an alarm and highlighted the breach of policy, would there be any reason to worry at all.

Relax. I don't see any issues here.

Dear Sk,

No company will wait for an employee or resource for longer durations unless informed by that resource. In your case, you have not informed them, as stated by you. So, they might have terminated you and sent the termination letter through post or email. You can as well go and settle your dues as stated by members here and start afresh.

Hi SK,

Just have a word with them. Don't hesitate to address this issue with them. If they truly understand your position, they will surely help you out.

Good luck :)
Anand M