Left My Job Without Notice: Facing Legal Threats and a Rs 25,000 Demand – What Should I Do?

Hi, I left my company without serving the notice period of 30 days. Now they have sent me a letter saying I need to pay Rs 25,000 for the company's loss. Otherwise, they will take the next step. However, there is no mention of this payment in my appointment letter, and I have no bond with the company. The only mention is that if I leave the company without serving the 30 days' notice period, they will take legal actions.

So, what should I do?

As an HR professional, I would always suggest that you clear all liabilities and obtain a proper NDC (No Demand Certificate) from your employer before making a decent switch. If you join another organization without a proper release, your next employment may lead to dual employment as you have not been formally released. Concerning liabilities, you have every right to know about even a penny of demand. If the employer makes any unjust demands, ask for a breakdown and check its legality.

Thanks & Regards

There cannot be a letter just stating that you have to pay for company losses. You should reply to the letter asking them to clarify what the loss pertains to and how it was computed.

I hope you received a relieving letter and have returned all assets to the company.

Please confirm or clarify if the wording used in your company's letter was "for company loss." However, irrespective of the fact that you don't have a bond with them, you should realize that you did not serve the notice period—maybe that's what the company was referring to?

Details Required for Clarification

Please provide the full details of the case, such as:
1. Have you received the relieving and experience certificates when you left?
2. Have you joined any new company which, I presume, was the cause for your resignation?

Regards,
TS

Oops, just reread your post. You have not completed your notice period, so there would be no relieving letter.

Clarification on Resignation and Notice Period

What you don't even know is how to ask a question. First of all, tell us whether you have sent the "Resignation letter" at least before joining the company. If so, when, and if yes, from when are you absenting? If you have not sent the resignation letter even till now, it is ridiculous and idiotic to switch over in this manner (sorry that I'm using strong words, but can't help).

What is clear is that you have not issued a 30-day notice in advance before leaving or absenting, and they have asked you to remit Rs. 25K for the failure of the 30-day notice period towards loss. If it is so, it is a "breach of contract" as per the appointment letter, and they are right in asking you to pay 25K. But if they mention "towards loss," it is a debatable point, and you can successfully contest in court. But if you really filed your formal resignation letter before joining with proper acknowledgment and can justify why you failed to give that mandatory 30-day notice, it all depends, folks.

Regards,
Kumar S.

Please review the clauses of your appointment letter again. If there is a notice period mentioned in the appointment letter and you resign without serving the notice period, you are obligated to compensate for the notice period amount.

In essence, all of us should take our employment seriously and adhere to the established policies. This will enhance our professionalism.

Regards,
Rahul Chhabra

I have resigned and served the notice period, but I don't have an acknowledgment for the acceptance of my resignation. Now, my employer is asking me to continue working or pay the notice pay. What should be done now?