Facing Legal Trouble Over Job Bond Breach: How Should I Handle This Situation?

kumar@123
Hi all,

I need an immediate response from you.

I worked for a XYZ company in Chennai. I signed a bond for 1.5 years when joining. The bond states that if I breach it, I have to pay the training costs incurred by the company. I worked with the company for almost 10 months. Then, I received better opportunities and informed my manager that I wanted to resign. My manager was also planning to resign at that time. He advised me to resign after he left. I explained that I couldn't wait until then. He then asked me to send the resignation only to him and not to HR. He mentioned that once my salary was credited, he would forward it to HR. I was not concerned about the salary and was willing to pay the notice period. After 10 days, I contacted the HR department for my relieving but was told they had not received my resignation. Due to absenteeism, they terminated me. I approached the HR head and explained the situation, but he made things difficult. Subsequently, I left the office.

Two months later, a lawyer representing the company sent me a legal notice, demanding payment for the training costs. The company did not provide me with project-specific training; only basic training on communication skills and email etiquette for a week, which was common for all employees. They are now asking me to pay an amount equivalent to $2500.00. Additionally, they have withheld my PF and the last month's salary.

Currently, the lawyer is contacting my parents at my permanent address, pressuring me to pay. They are threatening legal action and suggesting that my parents will face consequences.

Seniors, please advise me on what steps to take. I am eagerly awaiting a swift response.
malikjs
Dear,

These bonds do not have any legal authenticity in India. The advocate is unnecessarily harassing you, so tell him that you are not going to pay a single coin. Let them file a case.

Do not worry and do not pay anything to them. Let them file a case.

Thanks,
J S Malik
kumar@123
Thank you so much MallikJs and Badlooser for your reply. I am much relieved now. It's almost 15 months since I left that company, but still, the lawyer calls my parents every 3 months and harasses them. Any more suggestions.
sidd04
I am also facing a similar problem. I had signed a six-month service agreement in a BPO, but I left after 3 months assuming bonds are not valid in India. However, that company has now sued me in court, and I am getting calls from the investigating officers of the Delhi Session Court to attend the hearings. I now work in a reputed software company and can't leave my job for all these legal hassles. Please advise on how I can get rid of this mess.

PS - I don't have sufficient money to pay back the sum they are asking for as compensation.
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