Stuck in a Notice Period Dilemma: How Can I Join My New Job Offer in 7 Days?

I am working in one of the MNC companies in Hyderabad and have a 2-month notice period. I have received an offer from another company, but they are requesting me to join within 7 days; otherwise, the offer will be canceled. I have already served 1 month of the notice period in my current company. I have discussed this with my project manager and HR, but they are not allowing me to be relieved immediately.

Offer Letter Clause

As per the offer letter clause, if I choose to resign without serving the notice period, I am required to pay the salary equivalent to the notice period to the company, and the company reserves the right to make this decision. However, my manager is not willing to release me even though I have offered to pay the salary. Please help me.

Project Management and Transition

Are you handling any project right now that needs to be completed, or have you handed over the responsibilities to someone else? Please let us know so that we can advise you accordingly.

If you are not currently managing any projects or if you have already passed on your duties to another individual, it is not ethical to continue going to the office. Instead, you should join your new company for career growth. However, please remember to inform your new company that you will not be able to provide the relieving letter and experience letter.

Company's Reluctance on Experience and Relieving Letter

The new company is not agreeing without experience or a relieving letter. Please help.

Offer Letter Clause on Notice Period

Yes, I am handling a project, but as per the offer letter clause, it is mentioned that if I wish to resign and do not want to serve the notice period, then I am required to pay the salary of the notice period to the company.

So, what is your opinion regarding this clause?

It is advisable to either complete the project as early as possible or give a proper handover to ensure a smooth and clean exit.

Considerations for Accepting Job Offers with Immediate Joining

I do not think you should accept a job in a company that wants you to join immediately (without even the standard 1-month notice period) and at the same time is inflexible in its own requirement that you get a relieving letter from the previous company. It smacks of arrogance to me that they think they are important and everyone else is unimportant and must fall in line. Hopefully, you will get other opportunities.

I have already served a one-month notice period in my current organization. However, the organization is now asking me to complete a two-month notice period, even though there is a buyout option mentioned in the offer letter. Please suggest what I should do in this situation. Thank you.

Buyout Option Discretion

As per your appointment letter, the buyout option is at the discretion of the employer. The employer has chosen not to accept the buyout. Legally, you are required to complete the 2-month notice period.

What is the use of mentioning a buyout option in the offer letter when it is really necessary for employees?

Employer's Rights and Appointment Letter

The employer in this case is obviously concerned with his rights and protecting his interests. So, he has drafted the appointment letter in a way that suits him. In that, he chose not to allow an option for early departure. It's natural since the reimbursement of salary is not going to compensate for the disruption of a project by an employee leaving suddenly.

Of course, for academic purposes, I can argue that you signed the agreement of your own free will. But the reality is that few of us have the choice of refusing employment because we do not like the wording of the appointment letter. Sorry, the bargaining power rests with the employer.

You are stuck between a rock and a hard place, as the term goes. Legally, you can't do anything. You can't even leave without notice as you need a clean relieving letter. Tough luck. But I doubt if there is anything short of criminal intimidation that will help. (Please do not try criminal intimidation, I am not suggesting it!)

This is why my earlier post said that you need to look for alternate jobs. Both your current and future employers are inflexible.