Struggling with a Three-Month Notice Period: How Can I Secure My Relieving Letter?

Dear Senior, I went through several discussions regarding the same topic, but to make myself clear, I would like to put in my query in my own way. I have been working for an Electronic MNC for the past eight months. I was not assigned relevant work in my domain area, and I don't have a person above me to monitor my work. Overall, I am dissatisfied with the company's management. My confirmation was given orally, but it raises questions about my future. Therefore, I have decided to quit and am currently holding another offer. The management is now demanding a three-month notice period. I have already served one month, but I don't have work for the remaining two months, and this notice period will jeopardize the other offer I have in hand. The technical panel has agreed that my presence here will not be necessary for the next three months. However, there is a problem in convincing the HR Head. Is the contract signed in the appointment letter so strong? Please advise me. I simply want a relieving letter. I have not gained any experience during my time here.

In this case, whatever the notice period mentioned in your appointment letter during the probation period is applicable to you, as you do not have a written confirmation letter from the HR department.

With Regards,
Shaila

Thank you, Shaila. It has been three months from my side and zero from their side. However, the technical heads to whom I report (assuming myself taken for granted) have agreed that there is no scope for me even for the next two months. Can they help me to get some relaxation?

Mr. Balaji, after going through your post and concern, I would like to suggest you speak to your HR Head regarding this without any hesitation and request him/her to relieve you early. I understand what you are going through and that you are not feeling good these days, but the solution to your problem lies in the hands of the HR Head. I am sure that if you request him/her with a valid reason, they will relieve you early. Your Technical Panel has also agreed and realized that your services are no longer required by them, so there should be no problem in talking to your HR Head. Also, try to convince your Technical Head too.

Also, I agree with Shaila. Since you still have no written confirmation, you can go for it, but you will still have to serve the notice period or pay for the shortage of notice, which will be deducted from your salary. I don't think you'd have any problem with that.

Regarding the breach of contract, we rarely see any legal action taken by employers against any employee in this regard because employers also do not have much time for this. Therefore, don't worry and speak to your HR Head.

Feeling Guilty About Resignation?

Thanks, Anil Arora. I was feeling guilty about talking face-to-face with HR. Your reply is encouraging.

Hey Dude, why are you feeling guilty? You have never done anything wrong and are not going to do so. In your situation, where you are not enjoying your work and not getting support from your team and other seniors, you need to think this over, but with a valid reason if you have one. There is no need to waste time because it's a question of your career and life.

Actually, most people consider resignation due to offers of better packages from others and present false reasons for resigning, making excuses. However, in a situation where one is not receiving support and has no job confirmation even after a few months of completing the probation period, one must ponder over this. If you want an early release, you should speak to the HR Head, convince him with a humble request and valid reasons. Surely, he will help you in this regard.

Best of luck.

Steps to Obtain a Relieving Letter

The problem, as I understand it, is that you want to be relieved and need a relieving letter to join the new company. Please write an email to the HR Head, CC to the HOD and CEO, and express your problem from the right perspective, requesting to be relieved accordingly.

Then, please talk to your prospective company's HR Head and inform them that your present employer is not issuing the relieving letter. You have to make a decision and put things into the right perspective.

Regards,
Johnson Poojari

I agree with Anil Arora that you need to talk with the HR Head. I also suggest avoiding putting your point of view in writing at this point for two reasons:

1. The HR head may misunderstand that you are in the wrong, and that's why you may be avoiding any face-to-face meeting.
2. You will get a chance to judge his/her responses across the table and handle the issue on the spot, and then, if possible, resolve it.

I also suggest you talk to your technical heads to put in a word on your behalf to the HR head in front of you. This will give you an indication of whether they really mean what they have been telling you so far—that you can go.

However, I fail to understand one thing in your case. You mentioned that the company is an MNC, irrespective of the field. How did they hire you in the first place when there was no suitable work for you? The recruiting practices in the private sector are usually very well-defined and focused. Or was there any situation of you not being able to fit into the company culture/environment, especially since you also mentioned that you were not assigned any matching work?

All the best.

Regards,
TS

I don't understand why the HR head didn't want to relieve you when you don't have work to do. It's like they are more interested in keeping you in the company for another three months and paying you for the same period without any contribution. HR should analyze what the company is gaining from your presence since joining. If your manager says that there is no growth for you, it means they don't require you any further. So why not relieve?

Does the HR head have some personal issues with you? Usually, it completely depends on reporting managers to relieve the candidate. Even if they relieve the candidate immediately, it is also accepted by HR people, provided there is no violation of the exit policy. In such cases, many managers waive off the notice period.

Regards,
Saunee

Requesting a Relieving Letter

The problem, as I understand it, is that you want to be relieved and need a relieving letter to join the new company. Please write an email to the HR Head, CC to the HOD and CEO, expressing your problem accurately and requesting to be relieved accordingly.

Then, please talk to the HR Head of your prospective company and inform them that your current employer is not issuing the relieving letter. You will have to make a decision and set things right in this regard.

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I have corrected the spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors in the text provided. I have also ensured proper paragraph formatting with single line breaks between paragraphs. The meaning and tone of the message remain unchanged.

Today's world does not operate in a dreamy way; it has become a world of existence. Any verbal confirmation is not a proper proof to keep an employee in a dark space. Therefore, I advise you not to issue any notice regarding resigning from the company from your side because you do not have any proof.

With regards,
Gourab Mukhopadhyay

Please provide the context without which the suggestions are more likely to be incorrect for you. Thus far, the focus has been on getting your resignation accepted and a relieving letter. Where does this wording come into the picture? Did you use these words in your resignation letter?

Purely from a literary and grammatical context, your usage is incorrect. To whom are you "announcing" your resignation? What is the situation, and what any company needs in such a context/situation is to know what you wish to do. If you want to resign, just say it plainly and clearly: "I am resigning." The word you used in your posting ought to be "inappropriate"—not "unappropriate" (no pun intended, please).

You also haven't responded to my earlier query regarding how they hired you in the first place when there's no apparent work for you. I think you haven't provided the full and complete details, without which any suggestions by the forum members could put you into more trouble rather than solving your problem. None of the members can be faulted for it since they suggested based on the information you mentioned.

All the best.

Regards,
TS

In your case, there are the following two courses open to you:

1. Have a face-to-face discussion with your HR Head and explain your situation. While doing so, you may also seek the help of your technical team. Explain that if you are required to serve the full notice period, it may not be productive for the company (especially if there is no work for you as per the technical panel) and could also negatively impact your interests. I believe this approach should be in your best interest.

2. If option 1 is not effective, you may contact the HR Head of the new company and explain your status resulting from discussions in your current company. Additionally, show him the present letter of appointment which specifies a notice period of 3 months or notice pay in lieu thereof during the probation period, while no such provision exists if the employer wishes to terminate the employment. Highlight that this provision is unbalanced and seek his assistance in resolving this situation.

I am confident that the HR Head of your company will assist you.

Good luck.

Regards,
S.K. Johri