Wat Legal Action Can Be Taken Against Employee Who Resigns Without Notice

Dear Seniors,
I want to know if one employee resign with 10 days notice insted of 30 days then can we take any legal step agains the employee?? If not then wat else can an employer do?? the employee has worked for 16 year in the company... Its very urgent plz.. plz... help...

Notice period is normally insisted to avoid unwanted attrition. It is okay with a person who has just joined or is leaving after attaining costly training sessions but it is not desirable to ask for notice pay from an employee who has been with you for the last sixteen long years. I will advise to waive the notice period and relieve him. But it is up to the employer to be positive and there are employers who even go for deduction of notice pay (one month salary) from the amount due to the employee by way of gratuity and other settlement.
Regards,
Madhu.T.K