Facing a Surprise Service Bond After Certification: How Can I Resolve This?

I have undergone a company-sponsored certification, and I couldn't clear it. I am aware that if I am certified, I have to sign an agreement and serve the same. However, now when I have sent my resignation email, my manager is insisting that I sign the agreement, which is for 6 months, so that I won't be relieved. I was never informed about the service bond when I was writing the certification, nor is it written in any communication received. When I asked the HR team, they said that it's an equal responsibility of an employee to inquire about the agreement before appearing for the exam and now need to sign the agreement. Can anyone help me find a solution to this problem?

Thank you.

Yes, your organization should have communicated conditions before sponsoring any kind of certification course. If your HR says that "it's an equal responsibility of an employee also to inquire about the agreement before appearing for the exam and now needs to sign the agreement," then they are just immature. Official matters are not handled under some assumptions.

Concerns About Signing a Bond

However, why are you wary of signing a bond for six months? This is not that long a period. Do you have any job opportunity at hand? If you have a job opportunity and if your organization does not release you, then you may approach the highest authorities of your organization. If they still do not release you, then you may approach the labor officer of your area. You have not written your designation. The appropriateness of approaching the Labor Officer of your area would depend on your designation. If the organization does not abide by the verdict of the labor officer, then send a lawyer's notice and finally sue the employer.

Considerations Before Legal Action

However, think ten times before adopting the entire course. What about your future employer? Will they take lightly to a candidate going to court? 99.9% of HR do not take on board a candidate who is on a litigation course with their employers.

Regards,
Dinesh V Divekar

I had a great opportunity to join another organization, and they came up with this service agreement only after the resignation was sent to them. I followed the escalation matrix and reached the VP level. All of them were on the same side and wanted me to sign the agreement, forcing me to do so, which caused me to lose my opportunity to join the other organization.

Though there was no written policy stating that a person had to sign the agreement, I was pushed to do so.