Served Half Notice Period, Company Demanding Money For Rest

Hi,

I work for a software consulting company. I had agreed to a 3-month notice period at the time of joining. Due to a personal crisis, I have to leave for overseas. I was working on a project and I resigned. I spoke with my manager, who suggested that I complete the project work first, and he will assign a replacement resource. I finished the work by putting in extra effort. I was taken out of the project, and another resource was assigned in my place. I am now on the bench.

When I asked HR to relieve me, they are asking me to serve my pending notice period (45 days) or pay them more than a lakh rupees! I really need to fly out due to my crisis. I also don't want to leave without my relieving letter. Can anybody suggest how to deal with them and leave early? I, of course, don't want to pay. I am not even causing them a financial loss as I have completed the project work and am on the bench. Keeping me on the bench is a cost to them actually! They are asking for money... is that even?

Thank you.

Hi,

Your HR department is working perfectly in the right manner. We can't overcome the policies but ask your project manager to deal with the same issue. Show the genuine reasons for how you worked to complete the project and find a better way to negotiate the notice period. Even if HR is not listening to your manager's words, you and your manager should go and meet the MD or CEO who established the organization or has the authority to make the final decision on the same.

Thank you.

Hello,

You seem to be 'conveniently' missing out a few aspects.

1] Your Present 'On bench' status: You seem to be focusing on the status per se but forget HOW you came to this status in the First Place. Wasn't it YOUR RESIGNATION that prompted this status? Would your Manager or HR have put you on Bench in the 'normal' scheme of things?

2] W.r.t. the HR's remarks ".........asking me to serve my pending notice period (45 days) or pay them more than a lakh rupees!": Please note that HR is asking you to pay up for the balance Notice period that you don't intend to work in this Company. Frankly, your Company seems 'fair' vis-a-vis many other Companies -- who take totally arbitrary stands on such issues.

Having said this, how did HR arrive at the 1 lakh figure? This looks a bit offbeat -- UNLESS your CTC is >9-10 L p.a.

3] I am really surprised at your statement "I am not even causing them a financial loss as I have completed the project work.......". If you did COMPLETE the project work, why did your Manager have to assign another resource in your place? You completed the project work ONLY to the extent NEEDED to relieve you from the project -- AGAIN due to your resignation & NOT because the work was finished from the overall project timeframes/schedules perspective.

Frankly, your line "I, of course, don't want to pay" only conveys [or rather 'betrays'] the impression that you 'seem' to have taken things 'for granted', rather than checking out ALL the aspects BEFORE you resigned.

Another view that gets conveyed from your Posting is: typically the reason you mentioned for going overseas ['personal crisis'] is similar to the standard reason given by those who want to join overseas jobs... and attempt to rush through the resignation process domestically. I hope your case isn't like that.

The fastest way to resolve your situation is:

(1) To get clarity on the amount [1 Lakh] -- HOW it was arrived at [and is it in line with your Offer / Appointment Letter] -- that HR wants you to pay (2) Pay up (3) Take/collect your Relieving Letter & (4) Move.

All the Best.

Regards,

TS