Can Future Employers Discover My Past Termination Even If It's Not in My Relieving Letter?

Can potential future employers find out about past terminations?

Can potential future employers find out if I have ever been terminated from a previous company? My relieving letter contains no information about my termination and appears identical to those of other employees who have left.

Yes, potential future employers can discover if you have been terminated from a previous company, particularly during the background verification process. In India, employers often conduct background checks that may include contacting your previous employers. Even though your relieving letter does not explicitly state the reason for your departure, a future employer may find out about your termination if they contact your previous employer directly for a reference or more detailed employment verification.

However, it’s important to note that the ways in which this information can be shared are governed by the Indian IT Act of 2000 and other relevant labor laws. If an employer shares any information that is false or intended to harm your reputation, it may be considered defamation.

In any case, it's generally a good idea to be upfront about your employment history during the interview process. If a potential employer discovers that you've been dishonest, it could lead to distrust or even rescindment of the job offer.

Here is a practical step-by-step guide on how to handle this situation:

1. Review your relieving letter and any other documents relating to your termination to understand what information might be shared.
2. Prepare a clear and concise explanation about your termination focusing on what you learned from the experience and how you have improved since then.
3. During interviews, if asked about your employment history, provide your explanation. Be honest but professional, focusing on your growth and commitment to performing well in the future.
4. If a future employer indicates that they will be conducting a background check, you can proactively share your past termination and your explanation. This will demonstrate your honesty and integrity.

Remember, everyone makes mistakes, and most employers will appreciate your honesty and willingness to learn from past experiences.

Discovery through BGV Agencies or Individual Networks

Is this discovery through BGV agencies or through individual networks?

Understanding Information Shared During BGV

Is there any way to understand the exact information the previous employer shares during BGV?

All the documents from previous employers are pretty normal, and there is no scope for doubt.

I want to understand this because I have started looking for new opportunities and do not want to lose out due to such reasons.

Dear Manish,

You have asked a question: Can potential future employers discover if I have ever been terminated from a previous company?

Answer: Your future employer could come to know about it if the employer who terminated you discloses this in the background verification (BGV). Otherwise, they would not. However, as you have been issued a relieving letter that is on par with those who had a normal separation in the company, it shows your employer's neutral mindset.

However, why were you terminated? You have not disclosed the reason. Nevertheless, the following scenarios arise:

a) Termination because of poor performance or rightsizing exercise: If the termination is due to poor performance or if the organization decides to rightsize the employee count, many mature companies consider it a normal separation. However, a few immature organizations disclose this information unnecessarily during the BGV, thereby jeopardizing the career advancement opportunities of the separated employee.

b) Termination because of a fight with the senior or fraudulent activity: Even if the termination is due to fraud, deceit, embezzlement, etc., not all organizations disclose this fraud during the BGV. They consider that termination itself is a punishment of the highest order, and there is no need to give additional punishment by blocking the career opportunities of the terminated employee by disclosing it during the BGV. A few others, in contrast, continue to disclose the actual reasons for termination and thereby demonstrate their vindictiveness.

You would know better about the organization you worked for in the past and what decision they could take.

I wish you all the best in your job search.

Thanks,

Dinesh Divekar

Thank you, Dinesh, for your response! According to your reply, I fall into category 'a'.

I've also heard that large organizations such as Citi, Barclays, J.P. Morgan, and TCS typically do not share information beyond Department, Designation, Joining date, and Last date.

I am hopeful and keeping my fingers crossed 爛.