Is It Safe to Sign a Two-Year Bond with a Security Deposit and Hand Over Original Certificates?

Dear Seniors, I have gone for an HR interview, and during the process, the employer asked me to sign a bond for a two-year term with a security deposit. They also asked me to submit the original certificates of my educational qualifications, from SSC to Post Graduation, for two years. Is this safe and acceptable from an HR point of view? Kindly help me decide on this.

Regards, Birabara

Something's not right here. Asking for BOTH a Security Deposit AND Certificates doesn't gel (not that any of the options are right—professional companies don't take any deposit or certificates—just a Bond, but they have a regular Legal department to handle any legal issues—if they arise when an employee jumps the Bond).

I suggest checking out the company before making a decision. All the best.

Regards,
TS

If an employer is asking you to deposit your qualification certificates or requesting you to surrender two months' in-hand salary as security, then it is a self-styled bond. The employer can't implement or justify it legally as the bonded labor act has been abolished.

Regards,
S.S. Guleria

Nothing is right with this company. It is unethical and goes against our fundamental rights to practice any profession of our choice. Nothing seems okay to me with this company, and as an HR person, I never encourage such things in the organization.

Best of luck.

Regards,
Mahender Singh
GM - HR

It may be a fake company. Ask the employer to provide you with the last 3 years' balance sheets. TS has rightly suggested.

Pon