Is It Fair for a Company to Cash a Security Cheque Before You Even Start Working?

Dear members, please provide your kind suggestions on my query:

Offer Letter and Security Cheques

I have received an offer from a software firm. I have signed the offer letter with them, and they have requested two cheques as security. One is for rupees 100 to verify whether the bank account is active, and they cashed it the next day. The other cheque was for Rs. 1 lakh as a security deposit against a one-year bond.

Bond Clause and Notification

The offer letter I signed included a clause stating that I would serve the one-year bond. The document was on A4-sized paper with no stamp paper attached. Unfortunately, due to personal reasons, I was unable to join the firm. I notified the HR department seven to eight days before the scheduled start date.

Company's Response and Ethical Concerns

Now, the company's HR and Director are pressuring me to join, or they will deposit the Rs. 1 lakh security cheque. I had informed them in advance that I would not be able to join and indeed did not start working even for a single day.

I would appreciate your feedback on whether this situation is ethical or if the company can take any legal action.

Thank you,

Employment Bond and Cheque Collection Issues

Employment bonds are not valid anyway. In your case, the act of collecting two cheques before you have become an employee is itself wrong. If you have decided not to join, please countermand the payment of the cheque by sending a message to your bank immediately and then write a letter to the company demanding that the Rs. 100 be encashed by them. It is a case of cheating, and if the company (especially in the software field) wants to make money, there are other means, and it should not be by robbing employees.

Regards,
Madhu.T.K

Thank you very much for your valuable views. I have stopped payment of the other cheque. I just wanted to ensure that the firm cannot take any legal actions against me.

Once again, thank you very much.

Regards,

Dear Anonymous, the company cannot take legal action against you. Don't worry.