Welcome, Guest: Register On Nairaland / LOGIN! / Trending / Recent / New
Stats: 3,215,011 members, 8,024,091 topics. Date: Sunday, 08 December 2024 at 09:55 PM

A Banker's Ordeal= Advise Needed - Career - Nairaland

Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Career / A Banker's Ordeal= Advise Needed (5113 Views)

Why You Should Not Be A Banker - A Bank's Stakeholder / Court Awards N76m To Banker For Wrongful Sacking / How Does One Become An Investment Banker ? (2) (3) (4)

(1) (2) (Reply) (Go Down)

A Banker's Ordeal= Advise Needed by BiafraBoy1: 10:45pm On Mar 06, 2009
I really need suggestions on how to go about the ordeal i found myself in.

I gained employment with a Bank and worked with them for about 7months,
I travelled during a public holiday and on my way back to my base, I was invloved in a fatal road traffic accident.
About 5 people lost their lives in the incident and I sustained multiple fractures on both legs. I had 2 surgeries on both legs, was admitted in a hospital for over 2 months and constrained to using a wheel chair. After my being discharged from hospital, I voluntarily resumed work at the bank regardless of the fact that I was still on a wheel chair, this was due to the fact that my employment was yet to be confirmed and I didnt want to lose the job. I went to the hospital routinely for physiotherapy and soon afterwards I started using crutches.

My greatest surprise came one fateful evening when the Head of HR called me saying that my tertiary institution had no records of my result shocked I instantly told him it was false and there must have been a mistake somewhere. He then gave me approval verbally to go and clarify the issue with my school and on travelling my bone fractured again thereby restraining me from movement. Another surgery was performed again and spent about a month in the hospital before being discharged; I told my doctor to communicate same to my employers. I then noticed at the end of the month that my salary was not paid (probably because of the issue) and I called my supervisor about it who then told me to concentrate on recovering from my ailment as my health comes first. The bone failed to unite from the surgery and I then had to fly abroad for a specialist to handle my case. Before I left for overseas, I visited the bank's Head office so that the Head HR would see the critical condition I was in then but learnt that he travelled outside Lagos. I then met with Head, Branch operations and RCSM, Lagos region so that they can attest to my health condition.

I went abroad, had a successful surgery and returned to Nigeria after about 2months. I then went to my school to clarify the issue where I was told it was an error due to the fact that the records department was moved to a new location. So I applied that my academic transcript be sent to the bank which the school sent. My degree certificate was also ready for collection, which i collected and forwarded a copy to the bank. I wrote a letter to the bank that i was fit to commence duty but did not get any response, I paid another visit to Head office but was told that I will be contacted later. It has been over seven months and I am yet to receive any word/letter from the bank. All I expect from the bank is to reverify the transcript sent to them by the school and degree certificate i forwarded to them so as to ascertain my academic qualification and my record be put straight.

I really need advice on what to do next to salvage this ugly situation. undecided

I dont know what to d
Re: A Banker's Ordeal= Advise Needed by puskin: 11:46pm On Mar 06, 2009
Don't know much about your bank but i do know that most banks require that one of your referees should be an employee of the bank who has worked with them for at least 8yrs. if you have one, i advice you to contact he/she so that the person can put you through on how to go forward.

Again, i bliv you should have a GODFATHER cos one would really come in handy in a situation like this. Most of my friends have as they(godfather) give you some sense of security at work in a profession where firing and hiring is the other of the day.

In the absence of all these, your best bet is PERSEVERANCE. At least you got your transcript. if you no longer have access to your bank's intranet. Get your supporting documents together, i mean your medical report (both local and foreign), your flight ticket, a copy of your transcript and write a letter to HR following the proper chain of command. You can expedite action on it by forwarding an advance copy directly to HR.

Before you do all these, pay a social visit to your branch, im very sure you have/had friend(s) there. Find out WHAT went down during your absence. And for christsake, don't ask that there cos hidden tension would be in the air when you get there. You could do that after work or during the weekend.

Finally, WATCH AND PRAY lest you fall into TEMPTATION.
Re: A Banker's Ordeal= Advise Needed by BiafraBoy1: 12:54pm On Mar 07, 2009
puskin:

Na wah. This your story, no offence, but its either you are a very good liar or something really extraordinarily bizarre is going on in your life. I don't know what to call it but it definitely ain't midlife crisis.

U can say that again and ur advise is well understood. the bank didnt need a ref who is a staff then, 1 school ref & 2 guarantors. As for having a Godfather, I gained the employment without anybody's help. I no longer hv access to the banks intranet but can do them a mail using my yahoomail. I have written the bank with all these supporting documents and no response, it seems my only option is the Godfatherism u said and Prayers to push my letter.

Tanx alot
Re: A Banker's Ordeal= Advise Needed by lawyer(m): 1:21pm On Mar 07, 2009
If your stories are true, then i'll advice you to contact the nearest Tort Lawyer closest to you because it has all the recipes of a fantastic law suit written all over it and my guy, you i dont see anything that would make them not settle you heavily. Everything is there;

Discrimination

Loss of profit and emotional distress

Unfair dismissal

In fact its too much and no need to pre empt the outcome, just act fast!

But please make sure your story is 100% true or unless it could backfire!

Cheers!
Re: A Banker's Ordeal= Advise Needed by coldwater(m): 1:22pm On Mar 07, 2009
Biafra Boy:

I really need suggestions on how to go about the ordeal i found myself in.

I gained employment with a Bank and worked with them for about 7months,
I travelled during a public holiday and on my way back to my base, I was invloved in a fatal road traffic accident.
About 5 people lost their lives in the incident and I sustained multiple fractures on both legs. I had 2 surgeries on both legs, was admitted in a hospital for over 2 months and constrained to using a wheel chair. After my being discharged from hospital, I voluntarily resumed work at the bank regardless of the fact that I was still on a wheel chair, this was due to the fact that my employment was yet to be confirmed and I didnt want to lose the job. I went to the hospital routinely for physiotherapy and soon afterwards I started using crutches.

My greatest surprise came one fateful evening when the Head of HR called me saying that my tertiary institution had no records of my result shocked I instantly told him it was false and there must have been a mistake somewhere. He then gave me approval verbally to go and clarify the issue with my school and on travelling my bone fractured again thereby restraining me from movement. Another surgery was performed again and spent about a month in the hospital before being discharged; I told my doctor to communicate same to my employers. I then noticed at the end of the month that my salary was not paid (probably because of the issue) and I called my supervisor about it who then told me to concentrate on recovering from my ailment as my health comes first. The bone failed to unite from the surgery and I then had to fly abroad for a specialist to handle my case. Before I left for overseas, I visited the bank's Head office so that the Head HR would see the critical condition I was in then but learnt that he travelled outside Lagos. I then met with Head, Branch operations and RCSM, Lagos region so that they can attest to my health condition.

I went abroad, had a successful surgery and returned to Nigeria after about 2months. I then went to my school to clarify the issue where I was told it was an error due to the fact that the records department was moved to a new location. So I applied that my academic transcript be sent to the bank which the school sent. My degree certificate was also ready for collection, which i collected and forwarded a copy to the bank. I wrote a letter to the bank that i was fit to commence duty but did not get any response, I paid another visit to Head office but was told that I will be contacted later. It has been over seven months and I am yet to receive any word/letter from the bank. All I expect from the bank is to reverify the transcript sent to them by the school and degree certificate i forwarded to them so as to ascertain my academic qualification and my record be put straight.

I really need advice on what to do next to salvage this ugly situation. undecided

I dont know what to d

Thank God you are up again.
Is your destiny tied to the bank? Is the bank the only bank in Nigeria? Why can't you look elsewhere for a living??
When one door closes, many will be opened. Look within you, find another job or create one and move on with your life!!
Re: A Banker's Ordeal= Advise Needed by triaophant: 2:59pm On Mar 07, 2009
To the poster, you have explored every available peaceful means to resolve ur problem with your bank but all seem not to have borne any profitable fruit. I have read through the responses to your post and being a lawyer myself, I do concur with the advice of lawyer. There are some issues involved here if your story is actually true. The first is that your intergrity have been put into doubt by the Manager HR who according to you said that your former school told the bank that there was no record of your studentship with them which was false, you can sue them for that. That alone means that you are a fraudlent person, you can also join your former school as co-defendants and if you win the case which I believe you can, then your claims can pay you for many years to come. Secondly, notwithstanding the fact that you were yet to be confirmed as a staff, that cannot deter you from seeking redress as the bank have indirectly terminated your appointment and have been avoiding liability. They must compensate you for unlawful termination of your employment.
There was no element of gross misconduct from you to warrant such a treatment from the bank. You did not cause the accident and therefore there was no element of negligence from you. Again the accident happened on a holiday when you were free to travel to anywhere without obtaining any official permission to travel. You have waited for so long to seek redress, so please look for a good lawyer who can hadle your brief immediately. Please let the lawyer write the bank and see what comes up from there.
Re: A Banker's Ordeal= Advise Needed by Theblessed(f): 3:03pm On Mar 07, 2009
This is one of the reasons why Nigerian's employment laws (if any should be reviewed and rectified).  There are no serious protection for any employee in Nigeria and if there is, who would effectively enforce it  Nigerians have been failed in every aspect of their lives by the Hausas and Yorubas leaders who have been taking turns in destroying our country.  They have failed everyone, failed in doing the jobs they were sworn in to do because, their eyes are so focussed on the Honey pot, instead.   

You see, nothing is impossible in Nigeria however, your case is a sorry case because, you've not been in employment with them long enough - at least one year besides, there are no legal structures in place to protect you or any employee in Nigeria e.g no Legal Aid to make this Goliath of a Bank kiss your ar--e and if there is, who will enforce it as there are bribery and corruption everywhere.

I know where you are coming from.  This has not only caused you and your familiy immense stress but also severe financial hardship yet, your employment situation is uncertain.  I suggest you get the policies of the Bank and review it with a strong employment lawyer to see if there are loop holes in their policies and whether what there is as employment laws in Nigeria could protect you and others in terms of re-instating you back to work or compensate you for loss of earnings as well as pay your medical and legal bills else, move on because, I don't think you have enough resource to fight them considering what you've been through. Others here may suggest differently but, good luck anyway.
Re: A Banker's Ordeal= Advise Needed by JJYOU: 3:13pm On Mar 07, 2009
this is wickedness.
Re: A Banker's Ordeal= Advise Needed by Okenku1(m): 4:10pm On Mar 07, 2009
Nigerian employers seem to be quite ruthless because of either a lack of strict employment laws or the delays in getting justice through the courts/ employment tribunals (if they are available).

My questions are:
You been confirmed by the bank before this accident, so how long is the probation period?
You've stated that the Head of HR 'said' your institution had no records,  so was nothing in writing/official?
When you resumed work after the accident was there any written communication?
How much longer (e.g. to complete your probation period) did you work before the second fracture on the way to your institution?

Theblessed is right about it being a big task to challenge the bank legally, and Pushkin is also right about having a Godfather.

I've not been in Nigeria for a while, but it seems these are realities on ground. 

I thank God that you had a successful surgery.
Re: A Banker's Ordeal= Advise Needed by ladi4vic: 4:30pm On Mar 07, 2009
Well my dear,
some things happen and we dont know why they do. One would wonder why bad things happen to good people. But let me advice you that first take good care of your health.
Dont allow it to border you to the point that your health will worsen.
Moreover, you can send them details of your treatments,travel and what have you to confirm that this was what happened.
If you did not get their positive response, then it is unfair.

Folks what do you say
Re: A Banker's Ordeal= Advise Needed by sejeh1: 4:51pm On Mar 07, 2009
Don't take the advice of any lawyer insinuating you should take legal action because it isn't worth it going to court (especially in Nigeria). Remember once you go down that route, it may become almost impossible for you to gain another employment. I believe you should move on. You now have your life back, so simple take this as a challenge and move on to the next. Your destiny shouldn't be tied to any one bank or any employer for that matter. Take the high road, tell them thank you for the opportunity they gave you and move forward.
Re: A Banker's Ordeal= Advise Needed by pappilo(m): 5:33pm On Mar 07, 2009
I normally dont reply to posts on nairaland but this your case touches the heart. Not critisizing Naija but one thing for sure is that in Europe this will never have happened to you. Even if it did, there are strong laws that will make sure you come out on top. I doubt if any reputable organisation in Europe will even treat you this way.

People dont have hearts again in Naija. Here we have someone who has been given a second chance at life at his emplyers have thrown him to the dogs. It all comes down to cost savings as no organisation wants to pay for services not rendered. I wonder if there is a statutory sick pay scheme in naija. Its easy for me to say but have you tried applying to other banks? Like someone said earlier what you should do is clear your name vis a vis no school records and confirm (written if possible) if your employer is willing to give you a reference. I doubt if you will be able to achieve anything through the courts as that costs a lot of money and you probably be getting close to retirement age by the time the case is decided

I wish you good luck and I hope the outcome favours you.
Re: A Banker's Ordeal= Advise Needed by sweetpain: 7:25pm On Mar 07, 2009
@rockvaven
I see you are a legal agbaka who also specialize in money laundering. I hope the op gets your counsel.

When the dust finally settles on the epic battle with the rogue bank, hopefully op will find it worthwhile to help give a legal slap to Nigerian orthopedic surgeons with another law suit.

Virtually every case of fracture I have heard of lately ended up in India after being mismanaged by so called consultant orthopedic surgeons in Nigeria.This is shameful. It calls to question the quality of surgeons being turned out by the various postgraduate medical colleges.
Re: A Banker's Ordeal= Advise Needed by cvibe: 9:54pm On Mar 07, 2009
@ poster

Sorry to hear about your case. You haven't told us if you communicated the circumstance (accident, surgery etc) officially to your employers i.e. in black and white during the ordeal.
Re: A Banker's Ordeal= Advise Needed by xammy(m): 10:28pm On Mar 07, 2009
no comment - i pray u get out of this mess in jesus name
Re: A Banker's Ordeal= Advise Needed by puskin: 10:32pm On Mar 07, 2009
I have gone thru all d replies and all are splendid. However, i do not subscribe to the idea of seekìng legal redress too soon in ur life. U r too young to go down that road. Besides, u dnt hv d time, energy and financial muscle too take on an organìsation.
Agaìn, u r a rookie in working experience.
Like i said earlier, keep pushing ON.
WATCH and PRAY lest U fall into TEMPTATION.
PERSEVERANCE.
If any event, they fail to reconsider(i hope they do) move on with ur life. Get another but stìll keep THEM in mind cos i bet U, btwn 10-15yrs from now, ur case would now be ripe for the PLUCKING.
Goodluck.
Re: A Banker's Ordeal= Advise Needed by puskin: 10:33pm On Mar 07, 2009
I have gone thru all d replies and all are splendid. However, i do not subscribe to the idea of seekìng legal redress too soon in ur life. U r too young to go down that road. Besides, u dnt hv d time, energy and financial muscle too take on an organìsation.
Agaìn, u r a rookie in working experience.
Like i said earlier, keep pushing ON.
WATCH and PRAY lest U fall into TEMPTATION.
PERSEVERANCE.
If any event, they fail to reconsider(i hope they do) move on with ur life. Get another but stìll keep THEM in mind cos i bet U, btwn 10-15yrs from now, ur case would now be ripe for the PLUCKING.
Goodluck.
Re: A Banker's Ordeal= Advise Needed by spoilt(f): 3:09am On Mar 08, 2009
You should go to the Hr manager everyday if need be. There seems to be an unexplanable communication gap. . They havent told you that you have been fired, they havent paid you either. When all else fails then you dont have a choice but to head to the courts or just start looking for another job. Whatever you decide to do, just remember that the nigerian legal system is not perfect.
Re: A Banker's Ordeal= Advise Needed by Fiver: 5:54am On Mar 08, 2009
erm are you barred from your workplace? as in cant you make it to the HR or even your office to see the manager
talk face to face. we blame politicans everyday lord knows what those 'professionals' with 'certificates' from here n there
are doing in their own corner

I think you should make an appointment with the HR manager and afterwards make an appointment with your line manager preferably on the
same day, just in case one of them 'is not on sit' as usual, go with your letters-school certificates, medical notes and communications you've had with
the guy that gave your approval to go sort stuff out with your school-don't be confrontational remember employers in Nigeria feel they are doing their employees
a favour!


PS stop leaving it to the hospital to 'communicate same'(typical naija bank lingo lol) to your employer if possible get them to send a copy to you too!
I'm yet to see a successful court case by an employee against a bank/company in Nigeria, they know they have the TIME and resources to frustrate you!
Re: A Banker's Ordeal= Advise Needed by soulamanne(m): 11:07am On Mar 08, 2009
this,if true,is pathetic and touchin.dunno what to say cos am not that experienced in such an HR and legal issue like this.i will just read on and hope the best for u.i just hope u are very ok now.take peace first and seek for the very best thing to do.not just here,elsewhere too.goodluck bro
Re: A Banker's Ordeal= Advise Needed by Ade0001(m): 1:45pm On Mar 08, 2009
i will advise you talk to your Supervisor or any other senior staff that can mediate between you and the HR Manager. From your story, it might be very difficult to win any case against the bank; since your school initially denied your result / certificate, which seem to be the turning point in the relationship between you and the bank. The bank was misled by your school. Try and make sure the letter from your school accepts the initial error.

And also, do not tie your destiny with any bank, if the bank refuses to listen move on with your life, i believe there are better opportunity out there!
Re: A Banker's Ordeal= Advise Needed by Jarus(m): 1:59pm On Mar 08, 2009
This is very touching as it is pathetic, and it could have happened to anybody. May God save us from this kind of trial.
Hmmmmnnn. . . . again, it's a very serious case.
May God save us from these slavemasters called employers. From the story, it appears true that the school actually made mistake when contacted for your records in the first place. Your company's action that you should go and verify is therefore not out of place.

However, from their unwilling attitude to take you back after it has been proved that you actually had the degree, shows that there was more to it than met the eyes. I suspect they are unwilling to take you back because of your ordeal, your physical challenge.They probably have forgotten that your brain, not your legs in clutches will do the work. They apparently felt you will be a liability to them, going in and out of hospital etc. This is a product of our employers of labour's capitalist thinking. They deserted you when you needed them most.

I will advise you to pull it further, disturbing the HR managers. If however they still don't yield, you may do any of these two, but you have to forget that job though:
1, Sue them to court for breach of employment contract and claim monetary damage
2, Visit a popular newspaper house and request for interview. They will grant you, at least I'm sure of Punch. Narrate your ordeal to them and they will feature it as full page story one weekend. A lot of damage will be done to the company and their MD, CBN and human rights activists may wage into it to get justice done. You may lose that job though but you will get some compensation.

This should however be after you have exercised all possible means to plead with them.
Re: A Banker's Ordeal= Advise Needed by Gwazah(m): 2:40pm On Mar 08, 2009
no matter how old u are! and no matter what ur luck is. u must surely find a place to get ur food and plan for ur life, that job is not urs, if it is urs God must have prevent u for unseen circumstance that is not good for u.
try another place ur destiny lyes somewhere waiting for u. i wish u all the bets.
Re: A Banker's Ordeal= Advise Needed by gamechange(m): 2:56pm On Mar 08, 2009
@poster

Firstly, I congratulate you on your succesful surgery and pray that by his special grace you continue to be of sound health and mind, that this marks the watershed of sadness in your life. I also commiserate with you on your job situation, If i wake up in your position, here are the steps I would explore;

1) Arrange to meet with HR to discuss your situation
2) Arrange to meet with your Line Manager also.
3) Simutaneously actively seek employment elsewhere
4) Seek advice from a Law firm (hopefully pro bono)- Inquire if there is malpractice in the banks conduct and if you have a case.
4) Once gainfully employed elsewhere, write to the bank stating that if answers are not forthcoming regards your employment with them (within a specified period) you would have no alternative but to hand over the matter to  your Lawyers, stating the practice name.  
5) Now fold your arms and wait.
6) If no response, then proceed with lawsuit (try get pro bono lawyers who will make money off your settlement)  
7) If you do get response (favourable), then you have a choice of either going back to the bank or staying at your current position if that is preferable.

What I would rather hate is that you move on and do nothing, effectively saying to the bank that it is ok to do the same to the next man and the next man and the next man. It is by challenging situations like this that a country develops.


Above all I wish you wise and God counsel.
Re: A Banker's Ordeal= Advise Needed by Africason(m): 3:54pm On Mar 08, 2009
How i wish this had happened in one of those developed countries. It could've been a TEST case! grin
Re: A Banker's Ordeal= Advise Needed by BiafraBoy1: 8:37pm On Mar 08, 2009
Thank you all for all your wonderful advices, as Im getting a better picture on what exactly to do.

@Papillo,
I have applied to other banks, organisations & even attended interviews but during such interviews
they always ask why i left the bank? why dont they (the bank) want to recall me since Im fit again?and stuffs like that.

@Rockhaven,
The details will be sent to ur box

@Cvibe,
The hospital communicated to the bank directly which i have a copy of the letter.

@Spoilt,
I believe there was a communication gap and I visited the Head Office on 2 occassions but met the absence of the HR Manager.
Had audience with a staff that said he was aware of the situation and he took my cell number that they will contact me when the
need arises but till now, NO NEWZ

@Fiver,
I will make the appointment and i have a copy of the letter d hospital wrote.

@Jarus,
My health is perfect now as I neither a wheel chair nor cructhes anylonger

@Gamechange,
Points well noted
Re: A Banker's Ordeal= Advise Needed by DaJunta(m): 10:44pm On Mar 08, 2009
shocked
Re: A Banker's Ordeal= Advise Needed by BiafraBoy1: 11:39pm On Mar 08, 2009
@Rockhaven,
That ur email addy aint going
Re: A Banker's Ordeal= Advise Needed by hassymo5(m): 6:26am On Mar 09, 2009
I have read all the reply and they are good advice, but to me while u are fighting for ur right, seek for job else where. because even if they take u back, u will not b happy working wit that bank. So to me forget that bank and look for another one.[color=#990000][/color]
Re: A Banker's Ordeal= Advise Needed by question(m): 11:33am On Mar 09, 2009
@ Poster, You've probably heard it lots of times on TV crime shows: "You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to be speak to an attorney, and to have an attorney present during any questioning. If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be provided for you at government expense." That is the Miranda Warning, named after a famous case involving a suspect named Miranda.

So be careful how you handle the issue so that it would not cause you more troubles.
If your story is true that means you and the Nigerian Bank may soon be made public. Are you ready for the publicity?
Well, hope for the best and be prepared for the worst

GOODLUCK!
Re: A Banker's Ordeal= Advise Needed by codis(f): 5:06pm On Mar 09, 2009
Hello dear, its really painful and discouraging, but i tell you today that every dissapointment is a blessing,you dont have to file any case to court, remember you are just an individual, and the bank a group of individuals.So let go!For God is leading you to the rock that is greater than you!
Re: A Banker's Ordeal= Advise Needed by gentleiphy: 12:11pm On Mar 10, 2009
I have read thru your ordeals with great pains, firstly,thank God for sparing your life in that fatal accident cos you were no better than thos that died meaning God has a purpose in your life.secondly,never think of going to court with your employer cos it will take the rotten judiciary 10yrs to even look at your case, hope you still remember the case of the girl beaten up in V/I by Naval operatives, you want to know the outcome?still in court.my candid advice, move on woth your life, the bank is being managed by people who mistakenly found themselves in the postion they are now not becos of thier high excellency but by cheer Gods favor.so shall your favour too come.believe in God cos greater things are on the way for you.when one door closes,several other great doors open but the problem with us is we stoll go back and sit in front of the closed door hoping that it will be opend again not seeing the other several doors that have be thrown open and beckoning for us to come in.God is your strenght.

(1) (2) (Reply)

2019 Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPN) Recruitment / Plant Design Management System (p.d.m.s) Software / MGH Group Graduate Trainee

(Go Up)

Sections: politics (1) business autos (1) jobs (1) career education (1) romance computers phones travel sports fashion health
religion celebs tv-movies music-radio literature webmasters programming techmarket

Links: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10)

Nairaland - Copyright © 2005 - 2024 Oluwaseun Osewa. All rights reserved. See How To Advertise. 94
Disclaimer: Every Nairaland member is solely responsible for anything that he/she posts or uploads on Nairaland.