Is It Legal for My Company to Extend My Contract Without My Consent?

I work for an IT company. My contract for a one-year period is expiring in a week. Last month, I negotiated the payment for a contract period of one year post the current contract end date. However, I got a better offer a week after this happened. I thought for two weeks and decided to take up the other offer. Now, my company is asking me to serve notice for a month and to work beyond the end of the contract period. I have to return my ID card, locker keys, and hand over the desktop given by my company. How can I return these if they are not willing to relieve me by the end of the current contract period that will end in a week? I don't think this is legal. Can somebody please confirm?

Unless otherwise extended formally by written communication, the contract will come to an end on the expiry of the period for which it was originally given. A contract (fixed-term contract employment, as it is generally referred to) is renewable by both parties mutually agreeing on the terms and conditions set. Therefore, asking to extend the period for one more month is not maintainable by law. Since the employment comes to an end automatically, there is no need for any formal handing over. If anything is required, it should be initiated by the employer only.

You can inform the concerned person that your contract will come to an end on a specific date and request to carry out the handing over on that date. This will help avoid any confusion.

Regards,
Madhu.T.K

I fully agree with Mr. Madhu T.K. A fixed-period contract comes to an automatic end on the last working day of the contracted period. No notice is required to be given. However, the employer generally harasses the employees and does not make FnF settlement, including withholding of experience/service certificates. If your new company is agreeable to your joining without FnF and the service certificate of the previous company, then you can go ahead. Otherwise, you have to talk with your HR Dept./Employer to settle the issue.

With regards,