Can I Decline a Job Offer from HDFC Bank After Receiving the Appointment Letter?

Hi, I had an interview yesterday (15 March) for HDFC Bank. I went there and passed the second round of the interview. As a fresher, I've never worked in a bank. However, my family is against me working in a private bank due to recent frauds by such institutions. I got the interview through a consultancy. They have my appointment letter, but I haven't taken or signed it.

Now, can I refuse them after they've sent the appointment letter? Can they fine or take legal action against me?

"But my family is against me working in a private bank due to recent frauds by such private banks."

This reason is very odd indeed. Who has your appointment order - Consultancy or lying with the bank? You can refuse without any problem. But this reason is really not a good enough reason to refuse a job with a top bank like HDFC Bank. Rethink or if there is some other reason, then you are the best judge.

Thanks for the feedback. My appointment letter is with the consultancy where I have to take 15 days of a six banks job training too. I know that this looks like a stupid reason to refuse a job with a top private bank like HDFC. But causing problems at home is no way to start a career. At least in my opinion.

An appointment letter or order is nothing more than the confirmation of the offer of employment or the selection of the candidate for the job by the employer. Therefore, there is no compulsion, either statutory or contractual, on the part of the candidate to accept it. They can reject it without citing any reason or simply be non-responsive.

However, the reason you expressed for rejecting the offer based on your family's views seems a bit unusual. Of course, they have every right to have such a perception about private banks, and you do have the right to abide by the wishes of your family. Anyway, I don't think that you have been selected for an appointment in a private bank for any top posts like chairman, general manager, or financial controller, and the like. What about public sector banks, public enterprises, and state and central government departments? Are they above corruption and malpractices? Perhaps the elderly members of your family may have some concern for job security, which can be genuine. However, when you are highly employable, such a concern automatically pales into insignificance. Therefore, think on your own, consult your peers already in service, and try to convince your family, if possible, before simply rejecting the appointment.

Rejecting a prized job on flimsy grounds is not in order. Jobs are scarce. Whomever is telling you this needs to be talked to, and the reasons for such opinions should be discussed. A staff member of a bank does not get into trouble if the bank has NPA or fraud issues as long as he/she is not directly involved. Family members should not give out such opinions in a casual manner. Anyway, the final decision is yours, but basing it on mere "opinions" that do not stand the test of reasonability is a big mistake.

Dear colleague, to think of refusing the appointment after having successfully passed the selection process at a private, professionally managed, reputed bank on trivial and irrational grounds shows not only a fickle mind but is nothing short of stupidity. The family perception should have weighed on your mind even before going through the bank's selection process but certainly is in bad taste after having been selected.

All banks can't be weighed on the same scale, particularly HDFC, which has an unblemished record so far. Though I am not advocating specifically for HDFC, if you have not conveyed your decision yet, rethink. It is your call, but consider that perhaps you are not letting a lifetime opportunity slip through your hands.

Regards, Vinayak Nagarkar HR Consultant