- This topic has 25 replies, 15 voices, and was last updated 1 year, 4 months ago by
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It has been 120 days since I was suspended. 120 days of 95% radio silence. No clarity, no communication—just a career put on indefinite hold because a major Indian airline decided to punish me for replying to a colleague’s WhatsApp message.
I have not leaked confidential information. I have not insulted the company. I have not done anything that puts their name in jeopardy. But I have been banned from the airport, not allowed to return to my hometown, and left in professional limbo—all because I dared to have a conversation.
How It Started:
The real issue? I raised concerns about the company’s room-sharing policy.
For those who don’t know, the airline forces cabin crew to share hotel rooms during layovers. It doesn’t take a genius to see why this is a terrible idea. There have been cases of theft, harassment, and even smuggling linked to this practice. Every crew member knows the risks, but the management refuses to acknowledge them.
I used official channels to report my concerns. No response. I tried again. Still nothing. The system is designed to ignore complaints so that the airline never has to take responsibility.
So, when I discussed the issue in a private WhatsApp group with colleagues, I wasn’t doing anything radical—I was just looking for support from people who understood. And that’s when they decided to come after me.
The “Charges” Against Me:
1. Not maintaining “high standards” of work ethic and conduct.
• Because questioning an unsafe policy is apparently unprofessional.
2. Not adhering to company policies and SOPs.
• Even though nothing I did violated any actual policy.
3. Committing acts “prejudicial” to the company’s interests.
• If pointing out safety risks is against the company’s interests, what does that say about them?
4. Insubordination, inciting disruption, breaching law.
• Their biggest lie—that I organized a “mass sick leave” protest. Reality? I actively discouraged it. But they twisted my words, removed the context, and turned it into an excuse to get rid of me.The “Inquiry”—If You Can Even Call It That:
• Cross-examination? Denied. Because why allow fairness when you can just declare someone guilty?
• Evidence? Out of context, manipulated, misinterpreted.
• Key questions? Ignored. Because the answers wouldn’t fit their narrative.
• Understanding how WhatsApp works? Nonexistent. The inquiry officer thought a pinned message was a “heading” and used it as proof of my intent. This is the level of “expertise” deciding my career.
• Code of Conduct? Only enforced when it suits them. The same principles they preach about fairness, transparency, and protection from retaliation? Completely ignored when it’s inconvenient for them.The Reality:
I have not leaked anything. I have not defamed the company. I have not done anything illegal. Yet I’ve been treated like a criminal—stuck in a city I don’t belong to, unable to return home, banned from my workplace, and left in a void of silence.
120 days. No proper explanation. No fair trial. No closure. Just silence.
This isn’t about policy violations. This isn’t about misconduct. This is about a company using its power to silence employees who dare to question its flawed systems.
They are dragging this out, knowing the financial and mental toll it takes. They are waiting for me to break, to give up, to disappear quietly. But I refuse.
If this is how they treat someone who simply spoke up about safety, imagine what else they’re hiding.
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AConsult a good lawyer, initiate contact with many until you find one who you see is aligning with you. This is not the place that can do any real help in your case .
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HWhich airline is this? If it’s government-owned, you can file a Writ Petition, but if it’s private, then you will have to take other recourse. Either way, there will be a registered trade union for your organisation. Approach them and explain your situation to them. They are likely to help you with your situation.
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PHire a good lawyer and send them a notice. And clearly mention your lawyer will be present during any meeting moving forward. Should all clear in 1 week.
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VHi buddy, I am a lawyer from delhi. Please get in touch. I understand what you are going through. I can help you and for now you don’t have to pay me, but once you are on your foot back again and start getting your salary, then you can pay. If that works for you feel free to reach out.
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MIf you have been fired – move on. You can continue to pursue your legal options .
Airports and airlines are public places and public services. You cant be barred from going there. You cant be placed on a no-fly list without a proper investigation – for issues caused at the airport. Definitely not for workplace issues – unless they impact the air services.
Critiquing your employer on any forum is a career limiting move. Even if its anonymous.
Lastly challenging your employer is just going to negatively affect you – even if you win – they can still terminate you.
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UFirst of all i have not been fired. I am stuck in this situation where i am not able to give my resignation nor are they giving me a final verdict. Being in this situation for over 120 days and god knows how much more is not something that you can move on from. And if my suspension letter clearly mentions “you are not allowed to be inside the airport or around the airport premises” then what am i supposed to do? You still want me to be subtle about my employer?
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MYou need to know the levers to turn in your company. Reach out to your union. Next find someone senior enough to give you a hearing and help to get out of this mess. Also reach out with a formal complaint to HR that should revise their letter as currently even taking a trip home in your personal capacity will violate their guidance.
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UI wish you were an employee in the company i am working for or atleast a cabin crew to understand thats not how it works. For me to say anything to the hr- they have to reply to my mails. They dont. My id card has been kept so i cannot visit the office. There is no senior who can help me out because that is not how it works in this company. The decision makers dont even cross paths with the cabin crew. If i hadnt been this miserable i wouldnt have even thought of even posting it anywhere.
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MI don’t work in the airline business. In any organisation’s disciplinary action has SOPs that HR will use. They either follow the law or know how to circumvent it, in either case in the company’s interest. Natural justice requires that they give you a hearing or have someone whom you can meet to discuss your case. This has to happen within a reasonable time frame say 30 to 90 days. While they can bar you from somethings and some places, they still have responsibilities wrt you, even if you are suspended.
In my world as well, there are faceless organisation’s to navigate and sometimes you have to get inventive to get a name to work with to get results.
When the organisation’s is faceless, you will need to figure out a face to deal with. Reaching out to that person and establishing the human link to get someone to talk to is important. You will need to tap your network of friends and colleagues for this.
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UHave you been in touch with the ALL INDIA CABIN CREW ASSOCIATION? I believe they are fighting this case in the courts (on the room sharing issue),,,,,
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