Feeling Helpless After Resignation: How Can I Stand Up to an Influential Employer?

Dear seniors, I worked for a company and then sent an email to my supervisor stating my resignation and provided a one-month notice period. My supervisor interacted with me and asked me to leave immediately, stating that the company no longer has any work for me. The supervisor informed me that a reply to the resignation email would be sent to me. However, immediately after leaving, the password of my official email ID was changed, and now the supervisor tells me that I have not given a hard copy of my resignation, hence the question of acceptance does not arise. Also, the supervisor tells me that I went on leave without informing her for a week. I had actually taken approval for the leave through the official email ID, and I no longer have access to the same.

I have only worked for the company for a month and could not tolerate the treatment. Actually, two more employees resigned in the same month as they were thoroughly disappointed with the employer. They did not give a notice period and left their one-month salary with the employer as they did not want to tolerate the employer for even a single day. I have seen the way in which employees are being verbally abused and am in extreme pain that I am not able to do anything as the employer is a highly influential person with some good lawyers backing them up.

Actually, I am not concerned about my salary, but I just want to know if there is something that I can do to ensure that employers do not take employees for granted. But I am equally concerned that I do not have the money, time, or strong influence in society to face such an employer. Also, I am not sure what would be in store for me if I lose the battle. Also, the other employees who left are not willing to fight along with me for obvious reasons.

Seniors, could you please let me know what needs to be done?

Subject Line Relevance

First observation - your subject line is not really relevant to the problem quoted. What do you want us to respond to?

Considerations Before Taking Action

It is appreciable that you want to take this cause up. But do tell us, do you have a job? If not, getting one is your primary priority.

Legal Options and Evidence

As you can see, most people won't have the gumption to fight it out. And your case is rather weak since you don't have any documentary evidence to back it up. A good lawyer can force the company to either table the email conversation as part of legal exhibits or have an out-of-court settlement done - if the company wants to restrict damage to reputation. However, with just one month's vintage and another month's notice pay at stake, I doubt if this is really worth the trouble. Let's see what the seniors say.

I concur with the opinion suggested by 'Executor'. You are blowing hot and cold—if you do not have the time and money, how do you plan to proceed?

I assume you are coming under the 'Workmen' category, and if you are serious about this approach, consider the labor court with a good lawyer. Emails are admitted as evidence in court proceedings, but you have to prove and substantiate the same.

Resignation and Termination Concerns

Even if your email resignation is produced, there is no acceptance of the same. From what little is available on records, it does look like a watertight case of termination. Your claims of verbal abuse and such are quite difficult to substantiate in the absence of letters that you have written to the management recording such instances. Presumably, you have come to this forum for suggestions, and my suggestion is to divert your attention to positive things like getting a better job and moving on.

One of the lessons here is always to keep your personal email cc'd for subjects like this. Electronic evidence is very important if you decide to file a countercharge against your company.

I can understand your problem as I came across the same situation a few months back. It's very difficult to work under unbearable circumstances. Moreover, two of your colleagues have resigned without giving any notice period, which clearly shows the situation.

One thing you didn't clearly describe is whether all these happenings are at a particular person level or at the organization level. If one person is your problem, speak to your HR and explain the situation. If it's happening at the organization level, try to contact the two employees who left the company and together contact a lawyer and file a case, provided you have the money and time.

If not, mention the organization's name and the situations you came across in some forums like CiteHR and websites like Glassdoor so that we can at least save others from joining the organization. My suggestion is to involve yourself in all these activities after getting another job.

Email Resignation and Its Implications

Email conversations can't be considered as a resignation; you should have a hard copy of the acceptance of resignation. This is called experience. Now, further, you will not repeat this thing again.

As related to the case, you have no strong proof to fight against, so it's better to move on and learn from this situation. 

All the best and take care.

Regards,
Upasana

It is very clear in this computer environment that a resignation is acceptable through email. Of course, whether the resignation is accepted or not is a different matter. A resignation sent via email will receive an automatic acknowledgment. This is followed by the establishment of the case. Cyber laws are very clear on the validity of correspondence and conversations through emails.

Regards,
hrkpati
Sr. Manager (HR & Legal)