Gross Misconduct - Help

yvonne13_2

Dooglass wrote: »

First time poster here guys, I've been browsing the previous forums looking for answers but I need some more help.

I have recently been dismissed for gross misconduct from my post in large retail firm as a face to face adviser. The disciplinary has been taken place and the conclusion has been reached. I admitted to what I had done, (double credit check), it was quite cut and dry and unfortunately classes under fraud under the code of conduct.

I need some advice on what to do going forward. I'm currently in my last year at university (accounting believe it or not) with some healthy volunteering and paid experience. It was a stupid misjudgement from me and I should have known better and ended the transaction. But I'm guessing I can't go into financial services and the like, I'm at a total loss of what my possible options are for future. I feel like my life is ruined and I'm losing my mind. Any potential advice would be a relief!

What's a double credit check? And what happens when you do that?

Jackieboy

Snakey wrote: »

If you're full time at Uni, you can just leave this job off your CV can't you? Especially if it's your finals year - you didn't work because you wanted to concentrate on your studies.

You say you have other voluntary and paid work experience to back up the academics that you will hopefully have under your belt in a few months' time, so I wouldn't worry about not being able to use these guys as references.

Exactly what I was going to say.

Dooglass

Thanks for the advice guys.

What kind of unregulated roles do you think I should be looking at realistically coming out of uni? My degree is in accounting and finance. I've had a browse on the web but I'm not too sure what I'm looking for in unregulated roles.

I will leave it off my CV and hopefully I don't get asked about it. Still my only concern is with background screenings for jobs but fingers crossed I can get past this.

Alarae

The barrier you will hit is if you are asked as part of the interview process if you have ever been fired as a result of gross misconduct in a job in the financial sector. If they ask, you have to admit it and unfortunately probably wouldn't get the job. I'm assuming it is because with financial services you need an element of trust, and gross misconduct will negate that.

On the other hand, I don't recall ever being asked it myself for my current job. I am a tax accountant working in a tax boutique firm.

I would say you probably have a better chance at getting into the financial sector in smaller firms, who may not explicitly ask the question. I would hazard a guess that all regulated roles (such as banks) will probably be a no go.

Take it one application at a time. If you are not asked about the specific scenario, then just pretend that the job never happened and omit it from your CV. You are at university. Experience is a bonus, but not necessarily a necessity.

TBagpuss

I think that your careers adviser at university is the place to start asking your questions. You could also look up the requirements of the regulatory organisation for the type of jobs you want to do - e.g. if you want to be an accountant, would this be the ICAEW? (http://www.icaew.com/) If so, look at their regulations and membership criteria and consider calling their helpline to find out whether the dismissal is something you would have to declare if applying for membership, and if so, whether it would prevent you from becoming a member.

Are the regulations you breached internal rules set by your former employer, or are they statutory rules? this may well make a difference.

I don't think that it is likely that this is a career-ending mistake.
Tax records would only show when / where you were employed, not why or how the employment was terminated. It may well be that you can either leave this job off your CV altogether, but if you have to disclose it in order to meet your professional obligations then you can frame it in a more positive way - e.g. "I worked for [employer] for [length of time]. I was dismissed as I failed to follow the correct process in relation to a credit check. It was a shock to me at the time and I feel that it could have been dealt with by way of additional training and a reprimand, rather than dismissal, but I have learned from it; I am very aware of how important it is to ensure I fully understand procedures, particularly around sensitive and regulated activities such as AML / Anti-fraud and credit checking processes and I am very confident that I wouldn't make this kind of mistake in the future"

But do check whether it is something you would be expected to disclose in order to get membership of your professional body. You may well find that it is not a bar to membership / qualification / employment but that lying about it (including failing to disclose it) might well be.

Brightonsbest_2

Dooglass wrote: »

First time poster here guys, I've been browsing the previous forums looking for answers but I need some more help.

I have recently been dismissed for gross misconduct from my post in large retail firm as a face to face adviser. The disciplinary has been taken place and the conclusion has been reached. I admitted to what I had done, (double credit check), it was quite cut and dry and unfortunately classes under fraud under the code of conduct.

I need some advice on what to do going forward. I'm currently in my last year at university (accounting believe it or not) with some healthy volunteering and paid experience. It was a stupid misjudgement from me and I should have known better and ended the transaction. But I'm guessing I can't go into financial services and the like, I'm at a total loss of what my possible options are for future. I feel like my life is ruined and I'm losing my mind. Any potential advice would be a relief!

Hi

Be open and honest and tell them re your regret and I think you may be fine.

Btw, your mistake, wrong action, has it been recordeed anywhere?


Sadly, most jobs come with CRB's these days so you have to remain clean and the new laws recently, if you have made one mistake in your life only and it was not a major thing, new dosclousres i thinkk you can leave out but not on the ehanced but I'm not 100% sure so check

Good luck

Dooglass

Damn. Will this come up on Standard or Enhanced CRB/DSB checks? I've had no notice of further action etc just that I've been dismissed

Gavin83

Dooglass wrote: »

Damn. Will this come up on Standard or Enhanced CRB/DSB checks? I've had no notice of further action etc just that I've been dismissed

No, unless you've broken the law and you are charged for it.

Also is your current role actually a financial role? It comes across like you are just completing credit checks for a retailer. I've done the same in the past but it certainly wasn't a regulated job.

In your position I wouldn't be mentioning the post to anyone but it is your call.

Fumblebee

I can't believe all the back and forth with irrelevant points on this thread!

OP - if this was just a retail customer service type job then FORGET THE EVER HAPPENED! It won't show on any 'official' checks. Move on. The best advice was to pretend you never worked there. This was internal company policy which you breached - its not like you will be arrested or anything. Breathe and move on.

Dooglass

Gavin83 wrote: »

No, unless you've broken the law and you are charged for it.

Also is your current role actually a financial role? It comes across like you are just completing credit checks for a retailer. I've done the same in the past but it certainly wasn't a regulated job.

In your position I wouldn't be mentioning the post to anyone but it is your call.

No charge as it was minor and not for any gain. Yeah it's bog standard most basic sales adviser role which involves contracts, products and services, i.e. Phones.

So no idea if it counts as regulated and what this means for the future. I will appeal as there is no harm in trying but got a meeting with my career advisor for Thursday!

Thanks for the advice!