Hi everyone, sorry for the long post ahead but I need your advice!
I've recently got accepted an offer for a dream job and currently going for background checks. However my first job few years back, I was terminated for poor performance (a letter was attached and sent to my email). Honestly, I wouldn't deny that I struggled as there was a huge learning gap considering I was fresh out of college.
But I knew the real reason why I was terminated.
My ex-boss (who is also the HR) owns the family business and treated me well for a period. I knew he was interested in me – he bought me food, gifts and constantly texting me till late, trying to get to know me till the point that he was hinting me to hide the conversation from my boyfriend. He asked me out several times and even commented on my makeup and outfit – wanting to know all about my whereabouts. Other colleagues knew that I was getting special treatment.
He is married and has 2 kids. All these while, I tried to avoid him and kept things professionally but at the same time, it was my 1st job and I did not know how else I should have handled it without getting on his bad side. I was young and soft-spoken, I didn't know how to protect or stand up for myself. All I knew was that I wanted a neutral employee-employer relationship. I rejected all of his instances and he would always guilt trip me saying that I don't appreciate his efforts. Everyone at work feared my ex-boss whenever he is in a bad mood as he is someone who holds grudges. Instead, I confided to another colleague who ended up telling my boss about how uncomfortable I felt and what I thought about him.
I was doing well at work till everything went downhill, he treated me like a stranger. Every single time, he tried to find issues on my work and did not give me any performance bonuses. Aside to that, he knew I was close with that same colleague. Sometimes, she pre-empted me that I was going to get terminated whenever he is in a bad mood as she is close to my boss. But I didn't believe her entirely and stopped talking to her.
I tried searching for jobs so that I could resign right away but I couldn't find any due to the lack of experience. I stayed on for a few more months although I was suffering each day and I had my school loans to pay.
My last project was a huge struggle as I have never learnt the fundamentals of that topic before hence I had no idea what I was doing but I did try my very best to seek help from other colleagues. I exceeded the deadline by a week and my boss terminated me.
I wanted to file for an unfair dismissal but I did not have any evidence as he cornered me and made me delete the conversation in front of him after finding out the truth from my colleague.
Honestly, I felt relieved being terminated as everyday felt like hell and I was tired being afraid that he would harass me.
Currently, the new company that I've applied for, their HR is asking me to provide an employment verification letter which I do not have. I gave consent for them to call my ex-company so that I don't seem like a red flag.. And on top of that, I've never declared that I was terminated because it would further implicate things and who would ever believe my side of the story..? It would just seem like I'm a problematic employee.
The background checks are thorough and the company did mention that they will rescind the offer if they found false declaration. I have never came across this before and I've passed all the time with other smaller companies I've worked for. And I've been doing really well in my past and current jobs and excelling in my career.
My current company (which is a big and well known company globally) that I'm currently serving notice , had never picked this up and I've never declared too.
Can anyone advise if I should tell the truth to the new company's HR if they asked? Could my offer be rescinded for explaining (= may seem like I'm 'talking bad') about my ex-boss of his doings and hence the reason I was terminated?
Kind words only please! I'm really trying my best!