Can I Resign Before My Bond Ends? Seeking Advice on Notice Period Timing

I'm working in a private limited company in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, as a trainee engineer. I have signed a notarized bond for two years, and the notice period is one month. My bond ends in June 2014. Can I submit my resignation in May 2014, or do I need to wait until the bond expires before resigning?

Please help!

Regards

Notice period is part of the service period. Technically, you are completing the bond period, including the notice period served. You can submit the resignation one month before the bond expiry date and get relieved on the next day after the bond expiry period.

It depends on the company's discretion whether they would accept your resignation after the expiry of your bond period or not. They can even waive off your one-month notice pay if they desire to do so. Please let me know if you need further assistance.

Legal Validity of Employment Bonds

Such bonds might not have any legal validity. Such bonds or clauses in the agreement might be considered as a penalty clause and are invalid under the Indian Contract Act. Employers do not have any right to prevent a person from leaving the job without paying the bond amount, except in certain conditions like when the employer has paid for any training course (employers should be able to produce certificates, proof of the cost of such training, etc.). Generally, in-house superficial training might not have much value.

Regards

You will have to complete the notice period. However, you can request approval for early release from the competent authority if needed.

Regards,
Sultan
Pakistan

You can submit your resignation in May itself, which terminates the bond. Serving a one-month notice period satisfies the valid termination of the bond as well as your regular resignation procedure. No need to panic.