Facing a Dilemma: What Are the Legal Risks of Breaking My Employment Bond for a Better Job?

I am currently working in an IT firm as a software tester. I have a salary of 12K per month here. I have signed a bond to work with them for 2 years on stamp paper and have submitted a blank dated cheque of 1 lakh in favor of that firm as security.

I have completed 10 months of service, but I feel that I have nothing more to learn here. Other companies expect skills like automation after having 2 years of experience, which I wouldn't acquire here anymore.

Now, I have received an offer letter from a good MNC with a better salary package and no bond requirement. I wish to join this company. However, I am concerned about the potential actions the current company could take against me if I break the bond.

Legal Concerns Regarding Bond Breaking

Could you please advise me on any possible legal actions the company could take or if there are any laws that could support me if I choose to break the bond?

Your suggestions would be highly valuable to me. I hope that you will provide your insights.

Thanks & Regards,

Amit Yadav

[Phone Number Removed For Privacy Reasons]

Congratulations! You can relieve yourself from your old job. If you continue working there, your future will be destroyed. You are not a slave. There is no legal action for this situation. However, you should be careful regarding issuing cheques. For a few months, you should avoid using that bank account. If possible, you may file a case with the Inspector of Labour. We have our own rights to argue. In the future, make sure you do not make the same mistake.

Regards,
Venkateshwaran

I signed a service agreement/bond with an IT company last year. The bond required me to work for the company for 2 years, failing which I would have to pay them a sum of 1 lakh rupees as training expenses.

However, while my company trained me in a particular language, they did not assign me to a project for a considerable period. Later, they provided me with a short 20-day training in another technology (both of which I knew beforehand) and put me on a project for a couple of months. They later shifted me to the original position and then moved me back within a month. Due to all this, I was greatly disappointed and decided to leave the company. Initially, they agreed to negotiate the amount to be paid, but then they retracted and asked me to pay the entire amount. I resigned that day and have been absent since (almost 7 days now). Now they have emailed me, directing me to pay the entire amount within 15 days, or they will proceed with civil proceedings against me.

Key Point

The key point here is that I have been continuously asking them for a copy of the bond that I signed. Each time, they have flatly refused, citing company policies.

What do you suggest might happen in such a scenario? Is the enforcement of the bond legal in a civil court in India?