How to Handle Leaving a Job Without Completing Handover Tasks? Seeking Advice!

Dear Cite HR,

I was working with a company designated as an Account Executive. I received only an appointment letter, in which I worked for 7 months and decided to leave the job because the salary promised to me was lower than what I was receiving. So, I called up and said I wouldn't be coming to the office anymore. Now, they are trying to send me an absconding letter because I did not give a handover. Thanks to my work, HR is friendly with me, so she said that I should just give a petty cash handover and then I can leave. However, on the other hand, my accounts manager is expecting me to complete all the pending work. This pending work is like 2 weeks' worth of work. They used to give me a lot of work, which put too much load on me because I was the only junior capable of handling it. Now that I have a new job, I cannot give a handover. What should I do? I said I shall come, but I won't do that work. What is the proper procedure for getting rid of this mess?

Regards,
Swapneel

Dear Friend,

IT is the ultimate service exploitation. You should also give a proper notice to the authorities about your dissatisfaction and get relieved from the services. There are always issues in every organization; you should not fear or run away just like that. When you decide to leave the organization, it's better to get proper relief and set your records right. This will help you in the long run.

Best of luck...

Today, education is of paramount importance. Never underestimate its power to bring good fortune.

Cash or any other record of the company should have been handed over; otherwise, criminal prosecution under section 406 of the IPC may also be pursued. Immediately return these items and obtain an acknowledgment. Your statement that "I have received only an appointment letter in which I worked for 7 months" indicates that you did not receive any salary. Therefore, you are entitled to revoke the contract due to the employer's breach. After handing over the mentioned items, send them a legal notice.

Thanks,

Sushil

Legal Implications of Absconding

Here, you are in a guilty posture. The company is correct, and you are considered an absconded employee as per legal terminology. They can even take legal action against you if they wish.

Salary Discrepancies and Professional Maturity

You mentioned receiving a low salary, which was agreed upon by you alone; nobody forced you to accept the offer on a low package. I think it's a sign of professional immaturity. HR is not the one to give a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to leave the job on this ground. You must obtain an NOC from your Head of Department (HOD).

Suggested Course of Action

My suggestion is to take a leave of 20 days from your current job and complete your pending work at the last company. Otherwise, next time, you may seek legal help here.

Regards,

I too felt guilty about that, so I went to my ex-company and handed over my responsibilities. However, HR still insists that they need me for one or two more days. I replied, saying it's not an issue, but I asked what they would provide me after I complete all my obligations to the company. She responded that they would see about that later. As it stands, I may not receive my Full and Final settlement for that period. Do I have to complete all my dues?

Complexity in Exit Process

First and foremost, all company assets should have been returned—cash, laptop, etc.—under acknowledgment. If you fail in such basic steps, you are inviting police trouble for not returning the company's cash.

Your exit from the company should have been as per the terms of the offer letter—notice period, etc.

"I was working with a company designated as an Account Executive. I have received only an appointment letter in which I worked for 7 months and decided to leave the job because the salary promised to me was lower than what I was receiving. So, I just called up and said I won't be coming to the office anymore."

This is no way of leaving a job. What was offered as a salary and what were they paying you? Now that you have left, offer at best to guide the new person for a day or so about the pending job and request them to release FNF.

Dear Friend,

After completing your pending tasks and receiving the NOC from your HOD, you can then provide a copy of the same to HR and request her to settle your FNF, which is your legal right. Simultaneously, ask HR for a No Dues certificate signed by the HOD of your department.

Best Regards,