Feeling Trapped: Is Taking Sick Leave for 3 Days Really Absconding? Seeking Advice on Salary and Trust Issues

Hi, I am currently working with one of the most reputed banks in India. Before joining, I faced a lot of issues. Starting off, the consultancy through which I went for the interview had informed me of Rs. 12,000 per month as my salary. So, I cleared the interview. After all the procedures regarding joining, I had a meeting with my soon-to-be Senior Manager who interviewed me regarding the salary. When I raised the concern about the salary, I negotiated it to Rs. 10,500 per month in hand (after all deductions). I accepted as I was a fresher and really excited as it was my first job.

Soon, I started going to the office, and after 5 days of training, I received the appointment letter which showed that my total salary per month would be Rs. 9,700 only, so I would be getting Rs. 9,000 in hand. I felt betrayed by this and raised this issue with my manager. She promised me that she would do something about it. I continued going to the office without signing the letter. After two weeks, they came to a conclusion that they could not pay me Rs. 10,500 in hand as a salary because there are others who have the same salary with over one year of experience.

I lost trust in this company, and they offered me the salary they promised in their group company. I refused it as it was not my area of working. So, I joined with Rs. 9,000 salary in hand, and after 3 months, I was not feeling well, so I took time off by informing them. The second day, they started pressuring me by saying if I didn't come on the same day itself, I would be given a notice of absconding. I explained to the manager that I was really not feeling well and couldn't come to the office. She told me if I came the next day, I would be given the notice of absconding.

I am still confused as to whether not going to the office for 3 days means absconding when I am informing them that I will be coming the next day to work. Kindly help me out with the same.

You have raised two issues—your salary and your absence. Let us first analyze the matter of salary.

What has happened to you is quite unfortunate. Once an amount of salary is agreed upon, the organization is bound to pay that amount. Reneging on this commitment is unacceptable.

However, this is a common problem in HR. In the past, during the era of personnel management, the first lesson taught was that a "personnel manager should never become impersonal." Unfortunately, this very message has declined along with personnel management.

This incident highlights gaps in the recruitment process. Why was recruitment initiated without fixing the salary for a particular designation? Why was there a disconnect between line managers and HR?

It is disappointing that such an incident occurred at a "reputed" bank in India. HR Heads of these organizations are often eager to deliver lectures at seminars held in five-star hotels on topics like Talent Management and Performance Management. The reality within their own company contradicts their sermons at these seminars.

Regarding your absence, it seems that you may not have been getting along well with your managers. Your dissatisfaction may have affected your performance. Your managers possibly noticed this and were looking for a reason to let you go. Your sickness provided them with a convenient excuse. While it wouldn't have been a crisis if a junior staff member had been absent due to illness, they may be using your sickness as a pretext.

In life, we often face such challenges. You have two options: to compromise, apologize, and continue with your current employment. Remember, your first job with a reputable company is crucial. It will make it easier for you to secure a position with another esteemed company in the future. When you return to work, bring a medical certificate from your doctor.

Your other option is to resign. However, can you afford to be unemployed? Finding a new job may take time, and it may not be with a national-level company. Therefore, carefully weigh your options before making a decision.

Regards,
Dinesh V Divekar

Hi, @dinesh. I am not worried about the reputed company as I am working only to learn about banking. I am not going to put this experience on my resume. I want to seek new employment as a fresher. I just have one doubt. Can they mark me as absconding even after I informed them that I won't be coming? Because from what I have heard, absconding has a different meaning and it does not suit here.

Future Employment Concerns

I will be starting my banking course with TimesPro very soon as I got selected. So, I wanted to know if I apply as a fresher at another bank after that course, will they find out about my past work with another bank? I am planning on quitting in the next 30 days. Will they have to give me a warning first or a notice period before firing me or me resigning?

Regards

Have you notified them in writing or orally? Do you have any proof that they have received your notification? Without proof, it's just your word against theirs.

I just need to work for one more month. After that, I will be leaving, so can they fire me on an immediate basis? I was told by my manager that I would be given a notice of absconding when, in fact, I wasn't planning on doing so. Can they charge me with that?