Dear Lawyers/Experts,
I am writing this in great pain as I am still feeling numbness and uneasiness in body.
I used to work in an off-shore (US based) IT consulting firm in night shift as per US timings till Thursday (31st May). There were managerial changes at the top level around 15-20 days ago and since then, my life became a hell. I'll quickly come on to the main question.
My new boss started targeting me because I tried to complain about him to our bosses in US. He got to know about it. He intentionally served me a 10 days' performance improvement notice on 23rd which was a shocker for me as I have been from among companies best employees. I starting putting in more efforts to improve but on Thursday, 31st May, they (boss and his deputy) crossed all limits.
They indirectly alleged me of routing a business deal from outside company. They checked my personal phone for evidence right on the floor in front of all seniors and juniors. I was literally shivering at that time and didn't know what to do. They asked me to connect my client with them over the phone and I did. I did whatever they asked. I was completely devastated as they intentionally tarnished my image in front of everyone on floor and portrayed me to be involved in fraudulent activities.
They could have asked me to do that all in a separate cabin until it was confirmed that I am a cheat but they didn't. I felt ashamed and disgusted in front of everyone. I felt as if they are ripping me off my dignity and self respect.
I resigned the next day, 1st June, in the afternoon. In evening at around 6:30pm I got a call from our HR asking me to return the company laptop. I told him I'll do that on Monday and meanwhile he could let me know about my relieving certificate and experience letter. He started spreading rumors (of which I don't have a documented proof) wherein he called a different company and asked them if I was routing business deals through them. Is this acceptable without there being any concrete proof that you are destroying my professional credibility too? I got to know about it from the other company's guy whom my HR called. I did ask that person to send me an email stating that my HR has said/asked all these things to him but he refused to get into it.
I can't explain it in words how horrific, both physically and mentally, I am feeling from last 12 hours.
Is there anything I can do in here? Can an employer destroy an employees professional credibility at will if he/she resigns? What can I do in here? Please do suggest. Today it was me