Feeling Trapped by an Employment Bond: How Can I Retrieve My Original Documents?

bskumar7080
Hi, I joined a company last week and surrendered all my original documents, from X to Degree Certificates. I also signed a bond for Rs. 2,00,000, but they didn't give me the bond copy or offer letter. Now, I am being tormented daily for the last two days. I want to resign from this job. How can I get back my original documents? Please help me.

Regards,
Sivakumar
Madhu.T.K
Handling Original Certificates with Employers

It is regrettable to note that you have deposited all your certificates with the employer in original. You should not have made a mistake like that. I don't think that the company would give the certificates back once you resign without any intervention by some powerful official.

Also, I will not advise you to continue with such an employer who will always have a tendency to exploit you. Therefore, submit your resignation and seek assistance from the Labor Officer to collect back the certificate. Since the bond you have signed has no legal validity, the employer cannot insist that you pay the amount. If you feel that the Labor department also collaborates with the employer (as it is also observed that employers may have a good rapport with Labor departments), you will have to approach higher authorities.

Regards,
Madhu.T.K
KSGopal
Dear Mr. Kumar, If you have not received a copy of the agreement duly signed as a token of having received the copy, legally the agreement will not hold good as there is no acceptance from your side. However, have you got a receipt from the employer while submitting all your original certificates? If your answer is 'yes', then the possibility is there to get back the same.

Please speak to the HR people, convey your intention (in writing) to leave due to unfriendly policies/environment, and ask him/them to return your original certificates. Get a receipt for the copy or send an email.

All the best,

Gopal
JAWEDALAM
Please follow the steps mentioned above by Respected Madhu.T.K. If those steps fail, then lodge an FIR (General Diary) with your local Police Station about the theft of your original certificate by your company from your desk intentionally to harass you (give the name of the person who is harassing you). Simultaneously, you need to do something for the police (you know what I mean) for better results.

Regards,
Jawed Alam
psdhingra
Requesting a Copy of the Bond and Return of Original Certificates

You have the right to ask for a copy of the bond. Send your written request to the management to supply you with a copy of the same for your reference and record. If they refuse, that would indicate their bad intentions. You should also send a written request for the return of your original educational certificates and degree, as it would not be legally right to withhold those if your appointment letter and agreement do not contain any provision for surrendering educational certificates and degree to the employer at the time of employment. Remember, no one has the right to treat you as bonded labor.

Regards,
PS Dhingra
Management & Vigilance Consultant
Dhingra Group of Consultants
New Delhi
[Phone Number Removed For Privacy Reasons]
[Email Removed For Privacy Reasons]
Avinash969
I personally feel that you need not get into the act of approaching any external officials and instead try to sort out the issue with the employer. It's a present trend of taking the certificates as security for you continuing the job until the agreed period. However, if you think that you are unable to cope with the task given to you, then I feel it's better to communicate about the lacking areas and your understanding of the given task. Try to sort out the issue within the company. I still believe the company HR will be mature enough to understand the issue if it is genuine and do justice by giving back your certificates and relieving you from the contract.

Regards,
Avinash
ridhi bohra
I feel what Avinash says is right. Try to solve it within your company rather than going to the police and wasting time.

Regards,
Ridhi G.
0744neha
Dear All,

Looking at the matter and with due respect to the suggestions given by various members, I just want to say, why do people generally assume that the HR department would not cooperate with the candidate? As an HR professional, I personally feel that our basic motto is to establish a win-win situation for both the employee and the employer.

Why are we assuming that if the candidate wishes to resign, they would not get their original documents back? Why won't HR understand the employee's point of view if the reason sounds logical?

The last question is for Siva Kumar. Although I do not know what you mean by being tortured because one week's time is not sufficient to judge the company and the people there, I think you must try to cope with the situation. Try to have an open conversation with your seniors and sort out the matter if possible. Otherwise, you should resign and try to get the original documents, which, according to me, would be handed over to you without much difficulty.

I hope the members take the above in a positive manner and guide me if you find anything wrong with what has been said.

Regards,
Neha
bskumar7080
By one week's time, how can the company judge the performance of a candidate without providing proper details about their product? They directly assign a task on the second day and ask why I am not able to complete it. When I explained that I need more time, he simply shouted at me in front of all my colleagues on the second day, calling me inefficient.

He is a Managing Director who has completed a Master's Degree in Engineering. Is this the right way to treat a person who has just joined the company? They are taking all our original certificates from Class X to Degree. If they find the person good, they lock them in for three years. Is this the right way for a company to do business even with its employees?
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