ASK HR: Please, help me clear my name from this looming scandal!

Q I have been following your advice, and hope that you can help me sort out this issue. I recently joined an organisation where I work in the accounts department, and have realised there are malpractices, such as staff presenting unauthentic receipts.

My job requires me to verify such, but when I query, they are adamant that their receipts are okay. I usually compile the reports with the said receipts and submit for processing. My boss recently raised this issue.

The problem now is that since I have never reported my suspicions, it is likely that I too have been compromised. As I write this, the malpractices have reached management. Kindly advice on how to go about this sensitive matter to clear my name.

I understand your dilemma, being new at your job and not wanting to cause complications for anyone. In the process though, you are now being regarded as one of the perpetrators of this malpractice, which you truly are.

When you got this job, I am sure you received a job description, which stated what your role is. You also got policies and procedures that guide all finance processes to ensure compliance and safeguard your employer’s assets.

Your job therefore if to verify the documents submitted to you to ensure they meet all required regulations before being processed.

Your first mistake was to pass documents that you knew were fraudulent. Though you did point this out to concerned employees, the right procedure to follow would have been to reject the claims and state the reason why you did not approve them.

This way, someone else higher up in the approval process would have taken note and dealt with the issue more firmly. Given that your line manager was part of this scam, I see how this puts you in a difficult situation, however, your integrity is far more valuable than short-term gains, hence doing the right thing despite the cost is more important.

You have just started your career and do not want to start it on the wrong footing. Every employer treasures an employee who can be trusted and relied upon.

You need to explain yourself to the management and state all that you know about this scam and plead your innocence. I encourage you to defend yourself and clear your name. As you know, your next employer will for sure want to know how you left your previous job.