Can a Company Relocate You Without a Project and Keep Your Salary the Same? What Are Your Options?

Dear Members, I would like to enquire whether a company can relocate an employee to another location without assigning any project since joining. My friend is placed in a top brand MNC, and it's been 2 months since he joined the organization without getting any project yet. Now, he received an email notification from his manager to apply for internal job postings to relocate to other cities on the same salary. He doesn't have any problem with relocation, but remuneration is a bit of a constraint as he is working in his hometown and can't relocate on the same salary. Can anyone suggest what to do in this situation? Can the company ask him to leave if he does not get any project in the local area? Waiting for the response.

Regards, Nancy

Review the Appointment Letter

Firstly, look into his appointment letter to see if this clause is mentioned. If yes, he has to take necessary action; otherwise, he can approach the labor court.

This is in addition to what AJ Joshi has suggested. Every new situation creates room for negotiation. Let your friend calculate how much additional financial burden he may have to incur after relocating. Let him ask for an increase in his remuneration. No authority will accept this readily. For this, he has to follow up or escalate it to higher authorities. This is where his negotiation skills come in handy.

As this posting is for a company requirement, he is eligible for the relocation allowance. Lastly, I do not recommend approaching the labor court as suggested by AJ Joshi. If incensed at litigation, what if the company removes him by paying the notice period and appoints a new person? He has just completed two months in the new company. It would not be fair on his part to start the tenure on a bitter note.

Thanks,
Dinesh Divekar

Mr. Dinesh has given you a suitable suggestion. Why should you start a career with litigation in mind? After all, you are yet to commence a meaningful performance in this company; as such, you'll have nothing to boast about on your CV regarding this stint. Therefore, you should talk to the concerned parties first, ascertain their views, and you'll know what is in store for you.

What's not clear to me is: Are they expecting you to "reapply internally" to your manager? I couldn't guess the intricacies involved in this process. Debate on this aspect and come to a conclusion. If you are really perturbed, look out for other suitable positions. Nevertheless, rooting firmly in the hometown appears to be a hard bargain, which is an option you may have to rethink. A better sense should prevail, friend.

As there has been no work for the last two months, your friend should search for another job. Since the company has been unable to provide assignments for 2 months, it is likely that similar situations will continue in the future. Therefore, it is advisable for your friend to apply for an internal job posting within the company, specifically the IRS position, as suggested by his thoughtful manager. This is an ethical practice, and it is important to note that only a few people are there to offer support.

It is a fair opportunity that should be duly appreciated. If the manager suspects any negative intentions from your friend, his probation period may end with a 24-hour notice without any compensation. If your friend accepts a job offer outside his hometown, he should embrace the opportunity and consider that the cost of relocation may have already been factored into the manager's considerations, as you seem to have assumed several negative scenarios. However, this should not be a concern for your friend at this moment.

Please advise your friend to handle the situation with grace, respect, and to abide by his manager's decision. Best of luck!

Regards,
RDS Yadav

Labour Law Consultant

P.S. Beginners, never think to go to the Labor court.