Facing a Dilemma: How Can I Retrieve My Certificates After a Job Change?

Hi all, I joined a company ten days ago. They have conditions regarding the submission of my certificates and a 3-year bond. Unfortunately, my marriage has been arranged, and I need to leave the company. Although I have not signed the agreement, I have already submitted my certificates. I have requested the management to return my certificates, but they are unwilling to do so.

Request for Advice on Certificate Retrieval

Please kindly suggest how I can proceed to retrieve my certificates. This is a significant matter in my life. Please advise me as soon as possible.

Thank you.

If we don't submit our originals, we will lose the job. What should we do then?

A Thought on HR Collaboration

There should be a forum where, after establishing the genuineness of the case, HR professionals from other organizations can speak to the concerned HR department and apply some informal pressure by citing laws, regulations, reputation, etc. Maybe that would be effective...

Thoughts?

Yes, I learned from my experience. Could you please suggest how to legally retrieve my certificates?

No need to worry. First, you should politely ask the employer to return your certificates. If they are not returning them, inquire about the reason why they are not being returned. You may have been given a certificate receipt note by the employer during the submission as proof that your certificates are in their possession. Additionally, you have not signed any agreement that specifies a notice period for certificate retrieval.

Finally, inform the employer in a requesting manner that the only way to retrieve your certificates is by filing a case with the police. Kindly request that they do not blame you for taking this action. In most cases, you should be able to retrieve your certificates without any issues, as retaining original certificates is considered a crime, as mentioned by our seniors in previous emails.

Thank you.

No company can ask you to submit your original certificates. An employer organization that does so is engaging in illegal activity, and you should never consider joining such a company in the future. As for retrieving your certificates, Mr. Ravi Prasad has provided you with the correct guidance.

Thank you.

It is totally illegal to take original documents from any employee. If you go through legal means, you will get all your documents back.

Simply write an email requesting the return of your documents, stating, "Please hand over my documents; otherwise, I will lodge a complaint against your organization."

Thank you.

How can you be so very naive? Have you checked whether your MD is REALLY out of the country? If that's indeed true, then suggest putting EVERYTHING you discussed with HR IN WRITING. Please send a formal email stating that you shall meet her/him after 15 days, as SHE/HE advised, since the MD is out of the country. Also, suggest giving 'just a hint...a very slight one' that your parents/elders are suggesting lodging a Police and/or Legal Complaint, but you wish to wait for 15 days. DON'T let it look like you are threatening. And for Heaven's sake, never allow your Certificates to leave your custody.

Please consider looking back—would giving the Certificates & joining such a job & then running after HR to get them back be easier OR letting go of such companies & looking for openings in genuine companies be easier? All the Best.

Regards, TS

I'm a Human Resources Officer from Panama, and I will tell you this: the laws can be different, but the processes are very similar.

When we are conducting the recruitment and selection process, in order to proceed with considering or confirming the job offer to the applicant, we do need the original certificates. However, you should not hand over your original certificates again. If they require the certificates, inform them that you will bring the original ones, and they can make copies, or you can provide copies while keeping the originals for them to double-check the information.

The issue is that certificates can be altered or falsified, and we must ensure the accuracy of the information provided by the applicant. Do not condone this practice; if an employer requests to retain your certificates, it is completely illegal and unnecessary. The purpose is to verify the information, not to possess something that does not belong to them.

These are valuable experiences to learn from. Moving forward, adhere to the process and retain copies of every email sent and received. This will serve as evidence of your polite handling of the situation if further steps need to be taken in the future.

Good luck.

Handling Certificate Submission and Bond Issues

This is news to me that organizations do accept original certificates as collateral security from their employees. It is true that some unaided schools are collecting original certificates from the teaching staff members so that they should continue to work in the school as bonded laborers.

In this case, please politely request your management that you are getting married soon; hence, the decision of separation is taken by you from the company. If required, meet your MD personally and put up the request for ordering to release the certificates.

If they are still not complying with your request, go to the police and lodge a complaint seeking the intervention of the police.

Thanks,
R K Nair