Dismissed for gross misconduct - getting new job

ultimatron · 10 May 2018 at 2:11AM

Quite a peculiar situation here:
I got fired for gross misconduct (due to a few unauthorised absences) one year into my first job out of uni. It is in the financial sector but not a regulated role. After I left the company, I found another job, but is an internship in a regulated role which will lead on to a full time regulated role (client facing). During the application process I never got once asked about reasons for leaving or whether I got dismissed, not even on the application form or background checks, probably due to it being another graduate entry level role. However I'm worried if I get the full time job they will do further background checks and FCA registration which may reveal it? My previous employer has said they will reveal the disciplinary action against me if I applied for a regulated role, but only if it is 'relevant', not sure what they mean by that?
What should I do? Do I have anything to worry about?

John-K_3 · 10 May 2018 at 6:56AM

Yes, there is a good chance that they will ask for references and ask why you left the previous job. The regulator wants to ensure probity, there is a fit and proper persons bar to be passed. Each banking job I have taken has wanted a detailed history of the past ten years.

Have you dealt with whatever issue you had that caused you to take unauthorised absences?

Les79 · 10 May 2018 at 10:38AM

I may be looking too much into it, but it seems a bit odd that you describe being sacked for unauthorised absences as "gross misconduct".

Gross misconduct is only usually used when the employee makes a really bad mistake which requires instant dismissal. If it was just merely an attendance issue then they'd just take you down the normal disciplinary route to manage that, unless of course your attendance was crucial in some way (like, for example, a care worker informing their employer that they are supervising patient X when in fact they are at home; that could be gross misconduct).

I think you need to be honest if this question is asked (don't volunteer the info unless asked). Also be honest with yourself in your own failings and seek to improve upon this.

steampowered · 10 May 2018 at 10:55AM

Financial services employers will often only provide generic references confirming job title and dates of employment.

However, if your new job requires a regulated reference, the reference would be more detailed.

soolin · 10 May 2018 at 10:59AM

ultimatron wrote: »

Quite a peculiar situation here:
I got fired for gross misconduct (due to a few unauthorised absences) one year into my first job out of uni. It is in the financial sector but not a regulated role. After I left the company, I found another job, but is an internship in a regulated role which will lead on to a full time regulated role (client facing). During the application process I never got once asked about reasons for leaving or whether I got dismissed, not even on the application form or background checks, probably due to it being another graduate entry level role. However I'm worried if I get the full time job they will do further background checks and FCA registration which may reveal it? My previous employer has said they will reveal the disciplinary action against me if I applied for a regulated role, but only if it is 'relevant', not sure what they mean by that?
What should I do? Do I have anything to worry about?

I think you might have something to worry about if you have to go through the sort of process a graduate family member of mine went through. The intern part was fine, only basic checks, but when a substantive job was offered HR went into everything, and all dates on the CV, including a period of sickness between a masters and PHD had to be accounted for, which meant calls to uni to get written proof of allowed sickness absence and extension on PHD.

Les79 wrote: »

I may be looking too much into it, but it seems a bit odd that you describe being sacked for unauthorised absences as "gross misconduct".

s.

I can think of several reasons why not turning up for work, especially if warnings or something untoward was going on- could be considered gross misconduct. OP may not wish to elaborate on the real reason and glossing it over as merely unauthorised absences can save a lot of embarrassment.

ultimatron · 10 May 2018 at 12:51PM

soolin wrote: »

I think you might have something to worry about if you have to go through the sort of process a graduate family member of mine went through. The intern part was fine, only basic checks, but when a substantive job was offered HR went into everything, and all dates on the CV, including a period of sickness between a masters and PHD had to be accounted for, which meant calls to uni to get written proof of allowed sickness absence and extension on PHD.

I can think of several reasons why not turning up for work, especially if warnings or something untoward was going on- could be considered gross misconduct. OP may not wish to elaborate on the real reason and glossing it over as merely unauthorised absences can save a lot of embarrassment.

Basically I didn't turn up for a few of the graduate training sessions (and not informing them about the absence), not actual work though.

Anyway does it automatically mean I cannot work in a regulated role?

nicechap · 10 May 2018 at 1:01PM

ultimatron wrote: »

Basically I didn't turn up for a few of the graduate training sessions (and not informing them about the absence), not actual work though.

Anyway does it automatically mean I cannot work in a regulated role?

Yes.

In addition, ifyou can’t be arsed to do the basic required training nor have the manners to let your bosses know, it’s not the career for you.

ultimatron · 10 May 2018 at 2:13PM

John-K wrote: »

Yes, there is a good chance that they will ask for references and ask why you left the previous job. The regulator wants to ensure probity, there is a fit and proper persons bar to be passed. Each banking job I have taken has wanted a detailed history of the past ten years.

Have you dealt with whatever issue you had that caused you to take unauthorised absences?

Yes. It is now a year since that happened. How do you think I should explain to my employer if the reference shows up?

soolin · 10 May 2018 at 2:25PM

ultimatron wrote: »

Basically I didn't turn up for a few of the graduate training sessions (and not informing them about the absence), not actual work though.

Anyway does it automatically mean I cannot work in a regulated role?

Those training days probably costs hundreds of pounds and would have been very competitive to get into. You must be able to see why not bothering to go would be such an issue for a potential employer who may be looking to invest a lot of money into your further training.

However, none of us here can tell you what your new employers will be told and what they will do with that information. Perhaps have a word with them in advance and confess that something might turn up if they do a thorough check.

John-K_3 · 10 May 2018 at 7:15PM

ultimatron wrote: »

Basically I didn't turn up for a few of the graduate training sessions (and not informing them about the absence), not actual work though.

Anyway does it automatically mean I cannot work in a regulated role?

No, not automatically. The restrictions on regulated roles are around issues such as integrity, honesty, and financial probity. Jumping the barrier to avoid a train fare (for example) could be viewed as worse in this respect than a conviction for drink driving.

One ex-colleague of mine had a job offer rescinded as he did not own up to a caution for shoplifting from decades ago. His honesty was questioned, and that was enough to cost him the job.

John-K_3 · 10 May 2018 at 7:18PM

ultimatron wrote: »

Yes. It is now a year since that happened. How do you think I should explain to my employer if the reference shows up?

That is a bit of a tough one, what was the actual reason?

As I write above, this does not mean that the regulator will have any issue with you, but The employer may. Be honest. If it was the idiocy of youth then say so.

Again, despite what people may think of banking, we tend to demand, not request, absolute honesty. Do not go into this with a lie if asked.

Dismissed for gross misconduct - getting new job

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