Feeling Stuck: How to Handle a Cab Service Mix-Up and Absconding Accusations at Work?

Hi all,

I joined a reputed MNC, and during the interview, they did not inform me about the cab service pattern. I was informed that I have to work only night shifts, to which I agreed.

Later, during the induction, they informed me that the company provides a two-way cab facility. On the first day of training, my shift was at 7 pm, but the company did not provide me with a cab for pick-up, so I went on my own. During my first day of training, the manager informed me that the company does not provide door-to-door pick-up service; instead, they provide point pick-up service.

Even though I work complete night shifts, the company expects me to walk or travel to the pick-up point on my own. I was not comfortable compromising my safety, so I informed my reporting manager about the issue. The manager gave me a solution that they can provide door pick-up only for late-night pickups after 10 or 11 pm; if the login is at 7 pm, I have to take the cab at the pick-up point, which left me a little confused about what to do.

When I got home, my parents were completely against the idea of no door pick-up and took away my phone, fearing I would go to work on my own the next day. The manager also expected me to come to the office on my own for three days, while the login was at 7 pm, due to some issue with the cab application.

The next day, I informed the manager that I could not continue as my parents did not agree. I couldn't answer any calls for two days as my parents had my phone. After 15 days, I received an abscond mail from the company. Since then, I started reaching out, replying to every mail and call from the company, trying to notify them of my issue, but I did not get any solution from the company. Instead of solving my problem, the company is proceeding with termination formalities. I feel helpless as I am not getting any help or response from the company.

Hi, whether to continue or not is your choice, but you need to follow the proper separation process. A mere update over the phone that you are not willing to continue will not be sufficient. You should have contacted the superior or HR in person and explained the situation. When an employee is not reporting to work normally, all companies usually follow a disciplinary process, which includes warnings and termination. If you had signed any bond, they might pursue legal action against you.

Dear members,

The post appears to be a classic case of a gap in communication. During the recruitment process itself, the company should have clarified the mode of transport and whether or not door pick-up and drop-off is arranged. If not, then confirmation should be given about the nearest pick-up point from where the candidate would be picked. However, the candidate was not informed.

From the candidate's side, neither did she seek clarification about the pick-up point. Both sides had their own assumptions. Now it has become a discovery to both sides about the expectations of the other party. Nevertheless, the company has to take more weight of the lapse. Professionalism demands clarifying the terms and conditions of employment. A discovery at a later stage brings bitterness. While the company may terminate the employment of the selected candidate, their efforts in recruitment will be in vain. How will they recover the cost of recruitment?

For Sakeena Khader

If your shift starts at 7 PM, then you need to be available at the nearest pick-up somewhere around 6 PM or later. But then at that time, the Bangalore roads hustle-bustle with traffic. By the way, you have written a post with a solicitous view that Bangalore is not at all safe or insecure for women to walk on the roads in the evening. This is not at all true. The cities in South India in general and Bangalore, in particular, have grown because of the safety they assure. Every job is associated with some risk at the primary or secondary level. The risk you are projecting is the mildest one, and whether to forego the job for the sake of the mildest risk is a call you will have to take!

Thanks,

Dinesh Divekar