Navigating Job Termination Over Misconduct Claims: How Should I Move Forward?

Well, I started my banking career in 2002 at Citibank. I worked there for 5 years before joining Bank Alfalah. After spending 8 years at Bank Alfalah, I moved to Standard Chartered Bank. Subsequently, I worked there for 1.5 years before joining Silk Bank.

Having accumulated nearly 15 years of experience in the banking sector, I transitioned to a new industry and began working for EFU Life Insurance. I spent approximately 3 years there before resigning on April 25, 2022, to join Askari Bank on September 9, 2021.

During my time at EFU, I operated as a freelancer without a fixed salary, solely earning through commissions. Upon resigning, my line manager at EFU provided me with an experience letter. However, when Askari Bank cross-checked this with my previous employers, all verifications were successful except for EFU's letter.

Askari Bank accused me of presenting a counterfeit EFU experience letter and issued me a charge sheet. Upon investigation, it was discovered that my agency code at EFU remained active. Despite my efforts to rectify this by requesting an accurate experience letter from EFU, it was not possible due to the active code.

Consequently, Askari Bank terminated my employment citing misconduct and alleged dual employment, despite the fact that I did not receive any salary from EFU. I am now uncertain about the next steps to take. What should I do now?

Addressing Employment Termination Due to Verification Issues

As far as Askari Bank is concerned, since the background verification failed with a remark that you are still an active member/employee of EFU, you are considered an employee of another organization while being employed there. They can rightly terminate the contract of employment. However, before doing that, they should have given you an opportunity to be heard.

You can contact EFU and get your relieving confirmed in their system as well. The service certificate/relieving order issued by an immediate reporting officer may not be valid in all cases, especially in situations where the person involved was holding a managerial position.

Now you can negotiate with the bank and request time so that you can take it up with EFU to correct the entries in the system.

Resignation and Employment Verification Issues

After resignation, did you receive a resignation acceptance response from EFU? If yes, you could have used that as evidence of your resignation or your last payslip to indicate that you no longer receive a salary from them, thus not an employee.

On the other hand, I am of the opinion that you should officially write to EFU and ask them to do the needful. They can also send a letter to Askari to set the records straight.

The onus lies on the person giving a reference/organization to ensure that a true and unbiased professional account is given to the requesting firm. In the absence of which, they can be sued.

An extreme measure will be to take EFU to a labor court and sue for damages caused so far. But, I am of the opinion that with professional dialogue, this can be resolved amicably.

Greetings Khilji,

From your note, it appears that you discovered your license as an agent in your previous company is still active. I presume you did not solicit any business or earn anything from that business during the period you were employed with your current employer. If this is correct, you may convey in writing to your employer, stating the facts that you were not employed, did not work for the previous business after joining your current employer, and have not earned anything from it. You may also offer them the opportunity to verify.

I do not know the circumstances in which your employer has taken a strong view of terminating your service. So, whether he accepts your presentation of facts or not, this will show your openness and transparency to any of your future employers or clients.

Best wishes!