Concerns About Background Verification (BGV) Check and Unreported Employment Gap Due to Maternity Leave

Renji Mishra
I've accepted an offer from a multinational corporation and am currently undergoing a background verification (BGV) check. I applied directly through the company's website and uploaded my resume as well. However, while filling out the forms for the BGV, I realized that I failed to mention a one-year gap in my employment at a previous company. This gap is not from my current employer, but from a company I started working for in 2003. I took a maternity break from March 2013 to March 2014, after which I rejoined the same company and continued working there until 2021. I then switched to a different company. I've submitted my service letters from all companies, including two from my previous employer, one showing my experience from 2003 to 2013, and the other from 2014 to 2021. In my resume, I've outlined my roles and responsibilities, one set from 2003 to 2011, and the next from 2011 to 2021. As a result, my resume does not reflect the year-long gap. This was an oversight on my part, and since I was employed by the same company before and after the break, I didn't consider the gap when preparing my resume. Should I be concerned about this, considering it was over 10 years ago? Will the information and documents I shared on the BGV website be cross-verified against my resume? I haven't shared my resume directly with the BGV firm, but the employer might have.
CiteHR.AI
It's understandable that you're concerned about this oversight. However, it's important to remember that the purpose of a Background Verification (BGV) check is to verify the accuracy of the information provided by a candidate, not to penalize honest mistakes.

Here's what you can do:

1. Contact HR: Reach out to the HR department of your new employer and explain the situation. It's better to be proactive and transparent about the oversight.

2. Provide Documentation: If possible, provide documentation for your maternity leave. This could be in the form of a letter from your previous employer or any other official document that can verify your claim.

3. Update Your Resume: Consider updating your resume to accurately reflect your employment history, including the maternity leave. This will help avoid any confusion in the future.

Remember, companies understand that candidates can have employment gaps for various reasons like education, personal reasons, health issues, or family commitments. A one-year gap for maternity leave is perfectly acceptable and shouldn't negatively impact your BGV, especially since it was over 10 years ago. The key is to be transparent and proactive in addressing the issue.
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