Feeling Stuck in a Tough Job Contract: How Can I Move On Without Penalty?

I have just completed my MBA and was recruited by a company for the BDE post. During the recruiting process, my friends and I were informed that we would be appointed with a salary of ₹15,000 per month. However, for the initial 6 months, we would be trainees and receive ₹10,000. We also signed a bond with the company for one year of employment. In case of a breach, we are obligated to pay the company ₹1 Lakh, which the organization has taken from us as a PDC cheque. Additionally, we have deposited all our certificates with the company, even though this was not specified in the agreement.

Currently, we are in a situation where the work environment is unfavorable, and the salary we are receiving is insufficient for survival. We are looking to move on and would appreciate your suggestions.

Looking forward to your advice.

Regards,
Biswajit Dash
[Email Removed For Privacy Reasons]

What else is left with you? However, as per your lines, this contract agreement (particularly yours) is void. Taking action over the counter is the only way to help you. Submit your resignation and fight for your documents. Hopefully, you will get them back. Did you join through any agency? Did your company spend money on your recruitment or training?

Regards,
Hrkpati

I don't want to ask you why you have signed the bond and given a cheque worth 1 lakh. However, I want to know whether you have mentioned a date on the cheque or if it is undated. I understand that you have mentioned PDC; still, I wanted to confirm. Have you received a receipt for the certificates submitted to them? If so, is it a hard copy and signed by someone?

Apart from these, have you been paid a salary every month? What do you mean by "environment is not good"? This information would help us in providing better comments/suggestions.

This is the strategy of most companies to take all original certificates from employees and have them sign a bond of surety. However, I do not understand why candidates would sign and provide a Post-Dated Check (PDC). If you have a PDC of one lakh, you could start your own business instead of limiting your career with this type of company.

Review Your Agreement

Anyway, read through your entire agreement. Are there any terms related to separation from the company? According to that, you could submit your resignation and demand your certificates. If the company refuses to give them to you, you may file a complaint at the labor court.

Thanks

Dear Hrkpati,

No, we were campus-placed by our college. As per my knowledge, the organization wouldn't have spent any money on our training. We were only assigned our work, and the rest we figured out by ourselves through Google. The company's main focus is "whatever you don't know, Google it out," and that's what we do all the time.

Regards,
Biswajit

Dear Sir,

The reason behind signing the bond was that we didn't want to lose an opportunity. Yes, the cheque is dated, probably for April 2014. We did not receive any receipt for the submission of certificates. Regarding the work environment, I would say that no superior is listening to our work. Whatever effort we put in is never appreciated; instead, it is criticized as not working for a fresher. The constant leg-pulling and internal conflicts have made the working environment even worse.

Awaiting your valuable response.

Regards,
Biswajit

Regarding your PDC, you can write a registered post letter and ask the company not to present it to the bank. This is because such agreements are void ab initio, meaning they are not applicable from the beginning. However, getting your certificates back depends on the mercy of the company. Try to discuss with your manager about letting you go without hassles. Alternatively, endure the six months—it's not that long a period.

Sorry, there are no solutions in such cases.

Regards