Can My Company Force Me to Stay Without a Joining Letter? Seeking Advice on Resignation Dilemma

I have recently joined a company on March 1st, 2013. At the time of the interview, I marked "yes" under the column indicating my willingness to work for 2 years. However, the office culture and work-life here are not good, and I am considering leaving my job. I had submitted my certificates at the time of joining, but to date, I have not received my joining/appointment letter. I would like to know if the company can hold my resignation and require me to work further. If so, what should I do?

I am eagerly awaiting your advice.

Regards,
Amarender Reddy
[Phone Number Removed For Privacy Reasons]

Hello Amarender,

It is unfortunate to find yourself in this situation.

Analysis of Your Current Situation

Let's analyze the good and bad parts of your situation:

1. You joined on March 1st, so you have completed one month.
2. It is assumed that your name is on their muster roll, providing evidence that you have been working since the stated day.
3. Processing your salary would further corroborate this.

However, since you have not been given an appointment letter or signed any bond committing to work for 2 years post-confirmation, you are within your rights to submit a resignation letter and leave the job.

They may mention that you committed to working for 2 years by ticking "yes" on the form during the interview. However, please note that an agreement should be drafted after your confirmation.

Even after ticking "yes," if you choose to reject the offer, can they claim anything from you? No, because you have the right to reject an offer even after going through the interview process.

Given that you have worked for one month, it is your moral duty to submit your resignation peacefully.

It was also the firm's responsibility to provide you with your appointment letter within a week of joining.

I hope this advice is helpful.

Regards,

You are missing a point here - Amarender Reddy has submitted his certificates, which are much more important than the relieving letter, etc., since he worked for only a month.

Request for More Details

@Amarender Reddy: Please give more details about what you mentioned regarding office culture and work life. Is this your first job?

Regards,
TS

Yes, I completely overlooked it. Thanks for bringing it to notice. When one resigns, it is expected that the company hands over the original document. Again, keeping original certificates is not a good practice and is questionable. I do not think in India it is allowed to keep anybody's original documents. Companies should always keep photocopies (or they may ask for a true copy in case) and ask for originals only to verify and give them back to the candidates.

Navigating Company Culture and Career Decisions

In just one month, you have found out that the company is not good. So you will move on to another company, and there you may also come across opinions and judgments from colleagues around you. So you will keep on moving depending on what others say! Did you encounter any unpleasant situations, or is it just the opinions of others?

Please remember, no organization is devoid of politics, ego clashes, internal bickerings, or backstabbing. After all, an organization comprises human beings only, and no human is perfect. Do you think you are the most perfect human being?

Instead of listening to what others say and reacting based on that, stick to a company for two or three years, learn new things, develop self-confidence, improve your product knowledge, skills, and experience, and then move on. Otherwise, you will never learn anything on your own but will start believing in what others say based on their experiences.

Best wishes