Gross Misconduct
Author
Discussion

JustTheTip

Original Poster:

1,035 posts

258 months

Wednesday 19th January 2005
quotequote all
I need some advice....

I'm just about to have a second interview (tomorrow) for a job I really want. I was sacked for 'gross misconduct' from my last job (I had a family problem, which I needed compassionate leave for. Some was granted, I needed some more. Work said no, I weighed up the job vs family problem and took it anyway. They sacked me for gross misconduct....).

When and how should I disclose this to my potential new employer? I want to be as honest as possible without jeopordising my position.

Thanks in advance for your help guys....

Plotloss

67,280 posts

292 months

Wednesday 19th January 2005
quotequote all
Tricky.

I would suggest that honesty is probably the best policy because if you take the job and then they find out you could be facing another spell without work.

Unless of course they dont ask the reason for leaving...

titiany

2,122 posts

254 months

Wednesday 19th January 2005
quotequote all
If he asks, tell him/her the truth, sparing them the gory details. If they can't understand it then perhaps it's not the job for you x

JustTheTip

Original Poster:

1,035 posts

258 months

Wednesday 19th January 2005
quotequote all
It's financial services, so they will find out. I just don't know whether to say before the next interview, at the end of it, after it, or if they offer me the position.

Phew.

alexkp

16,484 posts

266 months

Wednesday 19th January 2005
quotequote all
OK,

Do not say so at the beginning. Do not volunteer the information unless asked. If they offer the job, and haven't asked then don't tell them - just make sure you do the job so well that if it ever came up it wouldn't be a problem.

If pushed say "I was asked, under very difficult circumstances, to choose between my job and my family. I did the right thing."

And reassure them that the family problem is fully solved and in the past.

JustTheTip

Original Poster:

1,035 posts

258 months

Wednesday 19th January 2005
quotequote all
They'll definately find out, as it's part of an exhaustive 10-year work history check as I will in the future need to be registered with, and approved by, the FSA.

If I get the job, I'll have to fill out an application form with all my jobs and reasons for leaving and so on.

I think accepting the job (if I get it) and not telling them until I fill in the form won't give them a good impression of me!

havoc

32,559 posts

257 months

Wednesday 19th January 2005
quotequote all
Alex's suggested quote is very good - as a company they won't like it, but it's an explanation that retains your integrity, which is the next best thing.

RobDickinson

31,343 posts

276 months

Wednesday 19th January 2005
quotequote all
yep - if its work or family the family always has to come first, if they dont understand that then dont work for them.

JustTheTip

Original Poster:

1,035 posts

258 months

Wednesday 19th January 2005
quotequote all
Agreed, but assuming they don't ask, when should I tell them? I'm going to have to volunteer the information at some point if they don't ask....

JustTheTip

Original Poster:

1,035 posts

258 months

Wednesday 19th January 2005
quotequote all
It's an integrity thing. If you were employing someone, and it wasn't until you'd hired them you found out they were sacked from their last job for GM you'd wonder why they didn't go through it with you, surely?

RobDickinson

31,343 posts

276 months

Wednesday 19th January 2005
quotequote all
JustTheTip said:
It's an integrity thing. If you were employing someone, and it wasn't until you'd hired them you found out they were sacked from their last job for GM you'd wonder why they didn't go through it with you, surely?


If they dont ask you why your leaving/left your previous job there thoughly incompetent anyhow.

bph

2,166 posts

277 months

Wednesday 19th January 2005
quotequote all
Just make sure your honest if asked...

My brother in law just fired someone for lying about this on their forms - even though they were good at their job.

Good luck!

Bat21

652 posts

270 months

Wednesday 19th January 2005
quotequote all
If you are going for a job in Financial Services, your honesty and integrity must be without question. (untill they have trained you otherwise) No seriously.
Be up front and honest from the outset. Explain the events clearly, and then tell them how the company reacted. Unless there is something you are not telling us, whilst your action could be described as Misconduct, it was certainly not Gross Misconduct.

Any interviewer will respect your honesty, and it should not be a big issue, if you fail to tell them and it comes out later, it will be a "big issue", and that is probably what you will end up selling next.

JustTheTip

Original Poster:

1,035 posts

258 months

Wednesday 19th January 2005
quotequote all
Bat21 said:
Unless there is something you are not telling us, whilst your action could be described as Misconduct, it was certainly not Gross Misconduct.



My old manager had tried to invoke the company's disciplinary procedure against me three times prior to the one that led to my dismissal. All were set aside due to poor investigative work or incorrect 'facts'. I had the right to appeal (which would have got my job back) but didn't think the job was worth it.

Julian64

14,325 posts

276 months

Wednesday 19th January 2005
quotequote all
JustTheTip said:

Bat21 said:
Unless there is something you are not telling us, whilst your action could be described as Misconduct, it was certainly not Gross Misconduct.




My old manager had tried to invoke the company's disciplinary procedure against me three times prior to the one that led to my dismissal. All were set aside due to poor investigative work or incorrect 'facts'. I had the right to appeal (which would have got my job back) but didn't think the job was worth it.


The job wasn't but your integrity was.

Bat21

652 posts

270 months

Wednesday 19th January 2005
quotequote all
JustTheTip said:

Bat21 said:
Unless there is something you are not telling us, whilst your action could be described as Misconduct, it was certainly not Gross Misconduct.




My old manager had tried to invoke the company's disciplinary procedure against me three times prior to the one that led to my dismissal. All were set aside due to poor investigative work or incorrect 'facts'. I had the right to appeal (which would have got my job back) but didn't think the job was worth it.


I would make your possition clear during the second interview, preferably towards the begining.

JustTheTip

Original Poster:

1,035 posts

258 months

Wednesday 19th January 2005
quotequote all
Thanks for all your advice guys!

I just ran through it with the recruitment consultant that sent me to the firm, and she says it won't be a problem, and I should tell them when I get the job offer.

Hurrah!

Davel

8,982 posts

280 months

Wednesday 19th January 2005
quotequote all
Well done - always better to hear it from you than your ex-employer!

ATG

22,887 posts

294 months

Wednesday 19th January 2005
quotequote all
I would get this out in the open as soon as possible. The last thing you want to happen is for your potential new employer to think that you have been anything other than completely frank. If I offered you a job and the first thing you said was "by the way, I was sacked for gross misconduct" I'd be pretty seriously pissed off.

>> Edited by ATG on Wednesday 19th January 17:30

cosmoschick

7,977 posts

271 months

Wednesday 19th January 2005
quotequote all
A difficult one.

However, I'd be inclined to tell them when the job is offered to you at which stage they will have decided you fit their criteria and are the most suitable person. You weren't dismissed from your last position through incompetency to do the job so I'd be upfront and tell them you thought you were doing the best thing you could for your family given the stressful personal circumstances. You'll have to choose your words carefully but hopefully they'll appreciate your honesty especially if the position is subject to receiving a reference from your ex-employer. Best to get in there first so to speak.