How Can a One-Day Job Overlap Affect My Background Check and What Should I Do Next?

Dear Team,

I have worked in a total of three companies, and I have an overlapping issue for just one day.

Employment History and Overlapping Issue

My first company was a garment company, and my last working day was 28.08.2018. My second company was an off-roll position at a bank, and my joining date was 27.08.2018. There are no issues with my third company, where I joined a leading private bank as an Assistant Manager. I completed two years of experience there.

Current Situation with New Employer

Later, I decided to move to another private bank. I cleared the interview but did not receive any call from HR. However, I received the offer letter via email. On that day, I contacted HR and explained the overlapping issue over the phone. They advised me to remove my first company's details and submit my documents. This happened in December 2024, and they also told me to follow up in March.

I resigned from my third company, and my last working day was 30.08.2028. In the first week of March 2025, I contacted the same HR representative again. He initially said he would check and get back to me. However, despite multiple follow-ups, he kept delaying the response, saying he was at the head office. Today, on 17.03.2025, the issue is still not resolved, and I have not received a clear confirmation from HR.

Concerns Regarding Background Verification

All three companies are reflected in my PF service history. I have tried multiple times to resolve this issue by contacting previous company HR representatives, but they have stated that they cannot do anything about it.

Will this issue impact my Background Verification (BGV)? Please guide me on what I should do next.

There is nothing much you can do in this regard, except to hope that company no. 3 takes it lightly, as the PF records show an overlap of 2 days (not one). It is not easy to get the PF record corrected, as it would require the active support of the previous organizations, which they have declined.

KK-Nair is mostly correct in stating that there is little that can be done regarding PF record correction without support from the previous organizations. However, there are additional steps that Jayan VP can take to improve his chances of clearing Background Verification (BGV) smoothly:

Points to Consider:
Impact on BGV:

A minor overlap of one or two days is usually not a major red flag, especially if it was due to an administrative or documentation issue rather than intentional misrepresentation.
However, financial institutions and banks often have strict compliance policies, so even a small discrepancy might require clarification.

Steps Jayan VP Can Take:

Full Transparency with the New Employer:

Since the issue is already in PF records, proactively disclose this during BGV (if not already done).
Submit a self-explanation letter along with supporting documents (relieving letter from Company 1, joining letter from Company 2, etc.).
Seek Clarification from HR Again:
Instead of only following up with the HR representative, escalate the issue to a senior HR manager or Talent Acquisition Head of the new bank.
Check With a PF Consultant:
While difficult, some PF corrections can be made through legal routes if there is strong evidence of a clerical error. A PF consultant or labor law expert might advise on this.

Alternative Documentation Approach:

Since HR advised removing the first company's details, Jayan VP must get clarity in writing whether that is acceptable.
If removed, he must be prepared to justify the missing experience in future job interviews.
If the new employer insists on PF records matching exactly, he might need a declaration letter stating the reason for the overlap.

Conclusion:

The overlap might be flagged during BGV, but if proactively explained, it should not necessarily lead to rejection.
Since HR from the hiring company initially accepted the documents, they should formally confirm whether the issue is a dealbreaker.
Escalating the matter and ensuring proper documentation is the best way forward.