Competitor Hiring Our Employees Without Relieving Letters: What Legal Steps Can We Take?

Hi,

We are facing a strange problem with one of our competitors. It is a CMM level 5 organization and is in the same line of business as ours. They have hired 4 of our employees in the last couple of years without relieving letters. These employees have just absconded from our organization. We are pursuing legal cases against these employees but still the organization is going on with these unethical hirings.

We have contacted and sent emails to the HR Head and also to the CEO. All our emails are unanswered and ignored. What can we do against the company so that they are constrained in hiring further from us? Can we proceed with any legal action against the company? When the CEO of the company himself is not feeling responsible for this, I think going the legal way is the only option. Please suggest.

Regards,
Badri

Hi Badri,

This has been the scenario across all industries, and today's talent market status is forcing companies to overlook certain ethical responsibilities. Certainly, this is not a healthy atmosphere, and over time, it may result in candidates dictating market policies and procedures.

In your case, the initial attempt at communication through email hasn't worked. Therefore, I suggest a one-on-one interaction with the concerned individual, which may resolve the issue in the future. A senior HR representative could take the lead by arranging a personal meeting with their counterpart at the competitor's company to discuss the issues face-to-face. Perhaps reaching mutual agreements would be an ideal outcome.

Smiles, Charles

You cannot move legally against your competitors for their act of hiring your people without any relieving letter. This is because if the company that permits one to join is not concerned about a relieving order or service certificate, what is the significance of such orders or certificates? There could be a mutual understanding between you and the other company. Where there are trade associations or chambers of commerce, generally, the matter could be discussed in such forums and a solution found. In the absence of such associations, nothing can be done.

Regards, Madhu.T.K

Hi,

Thank you very much for your inputs. Discussions with the other company are underway, and I believe they will lead to some amicable conclusions. Nevertheless, it has been a very challenging situation for us.

Regards,
Badri