Facing Job Uncertainty: Can HR Delay My Appointment Over Background Check Issues?

I have a total work experience of 7 years. I recently joined a very renowned company on January 9th, 2014. The company's procedure is to conduct a background check for all employees and only then provide an appointment letter.

Background Check and Verification Process

In brief, here's what has happened: I completed a distance education B.Com from EIILM University, Sikkim (Eastern Institute of Learning and Management). My current company follows vendor verification (verification vendor name: Supersoft Consultants). While conducting a BVC for me, the verification vendor received a reply from the university stating it will take 90 days to confirm. My HR informed me that they can't wait for so long and requested me to speak to someone from the university to expedite the process. I have never been to Sikkim and was in touch with an institute in Mumbai, from where I took exams (Premier institute - Primeindia). My institute did everything to ensure confirmation through emails and telephonic conversations with my company's HR to convince them that my graduation is valid and EIILM University is UGC recognized. Prime India is willing to provide any document stating the same. However, in the meantime, one of the existing employees (a person of a similar designation to mine) complained to HR that my graduation is fake and accused me of confessing it to him.

HR Meeting and Interrogation

The HR called me for a meeting and informed me of the complaint received and the delay in the university response, stating that I cannot continue. They gave me a week's time to leave and rejoin if the university replies. They interrogated me in a rude manner, asking about the subjects I studied, exam dates, etc., which was a nightmare and very embarrassing. I requested to stay until the university replies.

Institute's Support and Further Steps

The institute through which I appeared for the university insists that their response should be considered. However, my HR is firm on obtaining a reply from the university as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, to prove the validity of my certificates, I applied for an MBA at recognized postgraduate institutes like ICFAI, IIBM, etc. I sent them scanned copies of all 3 years and asked for validation. Upon receiving positive replies, I forwarded them to my company's HR. Their response mentioned they received an interim response from the verification vendor and are waiting for the final response before confirming if any further documentation is required.

Current Situation and Concerns

Now, it has been days, and it seems the company HR is not concerned with issuing an appointment letter or verifying document validity. I am unsure whether to search for other jobs or wait for a resolution. Despite multiple attempts to contact the HR, I have been unsuccessful. Their behavior towards me is demotivating, especially considering my managerial role where job changes are not easy.

Are company HRs allowed to interrogate an employee in this manner?

Dear Vruty,

I must say, you have the bravery to endure this situation, and I am puzzled by the events unfolding in Mumbai. I am now deeply concerned about verifying the background of the HR personnel involved, to ensure they understand the importance of "Education Verification." I apologize for being critical in my response.

Appointment Letter and Background Check Issues

Firstly, refusing to issue an appointment letter due to a delay in the background check by the company's agency, for any reason, is an unfounded reason to deny an employee's fundamental rights. In fact, the appointment letter should have been issued on the day the employee was asked to join the company. A clause could always be included stating that if the education certificate is found to be "Fake," the appointment letter could be considered void. In my 20 years of service, this is the first time I have encountered a company denying an appointment letter due to an issue with education certificates. While I have heard of cases involving "Experience Certificates," education certificates are new to me. In India, we have a robust system for verifying fake and genuine universities and their certificates, and I am at a loss as to how they can act like "educated illiterates."

My Advice

1. Arrange a meeting with the HR Manager and request the immediate issuance of your appointment letter. If there are concerns from the subordinate and agency regarding the university's response, include a clause to protect their interests.

2. Notify your HR department that the university verification process will be conducted according to the university's rules, system, and procedures. This could take 90 days or even 6 months, or they may need to reapply.

3. The incompetence of the HR department and the agency in obtaining verification is being unfairly passed on to you by requiring you to visit the university and do their job. This approach is not only unprofessional but also emotionally distressing and embarrassing. It is unacceptable and disrespectful.

Having said that, as someone in a managerial position, do not tolerate the unprofessional behavior of the HR individual. Be professional, uphold your dignity, and address the situation without being rude. While we all have jobs to do, it should not come at the expense of someone else's dignity.

Good luck.

Umitra

P.S.: Contact your university and inquire about the "Degree Verification Section." Before contacting them, request details from HR such as the "Courier Name and AWB No.," "Date of Dispatch," "DD No. for verification payment," "Bank Name," "Date," and "Agency Name." You do not need to visit the university. Sometimes a phone call can be helpful in obtaining the necessary information.

After reading your story, I just don't understand why HR members are only now waking up for verification. Where were they during your joining time? It is HR personnel's responsibility to check and verify everything before hiring any employee. No need to worry now; just continue your work peacefully. In my 7 years of career in the HR field as a Senior Executive HR, I haven't encountered such a case or such rude behavior.

Regards,

Actually, I tried avoiding their looks and concentrated on my job. However, it's not easy to ignore without being responded to. It's like a hanging sword on your desk. You never know when it will fall—will it fall sharp on you? Will it go blunt? It's all fading out without any solution.

I tried calling the HR manager; she mentioned that her executives have documented that I did not answer adequately or correctly about my education when interrogated. She has also kept things on hold until the university replies. 

Regards,

OK, fine. Can you provide me with the details I need, and then I will pursue a solution through legal means?

Documents Provided Upon Joining

What documents do they provide you with when you join? Do they offer an employment letter or anything else?

Proof of Employment

Do they issue any paperwork or an identity card that you can use to prove that you are an employee of this organization?

Acceptance of Offer Letter

On what basis do you accept their offer letter to join?

I had a word with the HR manager, and as mentioned in my previous post, things are documented against me stating I did not provide relevant/sufficient answers about my education-related questions asked by the HRs. She's waiting until the university replies on it.

Also note that I researched the EIILM University website and have mailed them requesting a reply as soon as possible, describing the current situation on their info and support IDs. I have only received an auto-response stating it will take 4 weeks for the mail to be responded to. I had kept read receipts on all the mails and can ensure that all of them were at least read, and thereby replied with an auto-response.

Meanwhile, I have also registered a complaint against the university stating the non-responsiveness that's causing my career insecurity in the consumer complaint forum.

Regards

The response from the HR Manager is "laughable." How can someone give "irrelevant/insufficient information," and then the company issues you an offer letter and asks you to join? Are they insane or what? You know what... I am getting so irritated by this "Character in your office" .

Don't send an email. Call the university and get someone to talk to you. Emails do not work in our universities in India, neither does the "Grievance Cell." So, don't waste your time here. In the meantime, put down your request in an email to the manager. Verbal discussion does not hold good later for supporting your claims if they dismiss you.

Anyways, if you must keep the job, you have no option but to keep giving those "Highly educated HR personnel very high HOPES" that you are getting the verification and keep buying time from them. Verification report will take time, but you will get it. Wish you good luck.

Regards,
Ukmitra

Steps to Address HR Concerns

Firstly, try to convince your HOD or HR head and inform them that you have been working for the last 7 years. Emphasize that you have not committed any fraud during your tenure related to work or your certifications, and request time to prove your educational certificates. Please give yourself some time. You have never committed any fraud with this organization.

After all of this, if they do not cooperate, write a simple application and submit it to the labor officer. This is the last option to save your job and reputation. Do not worry; you are in a strong position now. Before submitting this application, please email me so that if any corrections are needed, I can guide you. Best of luck.

Regards,