Facing a Pre-Termination Letter: How to Handle Demands for Training Costs After Quitting Without Notice

Hi, I require advice. I joined a company, but the work environment wasn't too friendly. For instance, we had to put in mandatory 10 hours of work every day. However, I used to end up working for almost 12 hours due to the workload. After a couple of months, I quit. However, I did not submit a formal resignation. I told them I was unwell and would take some time to recover. Since it's been over three weeks now, I was planning to send a resignation citing medical reasons.

But before I could do this, they sent me a pre-termination letter, asking for two months' salary as training costs. I was unable to give notice, which is 15 days, as I had to join my new company immediately. Though the last 12 days of my work have not been paid by the company, and I have not claimed it. Also, this experience is not mentioned on my CV or anywhere else.

Dear Vinay,

External compulsions, whether legal or moral, always yield to unwillingness arising out of internal urges in individuals, be it an employer or employee. However, the consequences are certainly inescapable, and as such, some form of mitigation is inevitable in the interest of the future. It is better to consider complying with the exit conditions as per the appointment orders to maintain continuity of a clear career record.

Understanding the Consequences of Quitting Without Notice

Quitting without notice can lead to several complications. It's important to consider the terms of your appointment order regarding exit procedures.

Reviewing Your Offer Letter

Does your offer letter specify any training costs? If so, what training was provided to you? It's crucial to comply with the terms of the agreement and provide appropriate notice.

Legal and Professional Implications

Since you have not given notice, try to settle the matter with your previous company. Ignoring it might lead to a legal battle, and many facts could emerge, such as not informing your new employer about the job you left. This might lead your new company to question the truthfulness of your CV. Always consider the consequences of such actions.

Regards

I would like to highlight that this is not something I wanted to do. It was more out of having no choice. I have never gotten into such situations before. I cannot serve the notice period because I am already working somewhere else. Additionally, this experience was never mentioned on my CV or anywhere else. Basically, this experience is not beneficial for my career, so I have no intention of mentioning it anywhere.

There were no training costs incurred by the company, as far as I understand from references. I come with enough experience. I was there for two months and 12 days. Out of this, I did not get paid for the last 12 days. My notice period is 15 days, and I am okay with not receiving payment for those days.

I understand the work environment and the other points mentioned. Despite asking HR several times before my joining, neither my work timings nor the details I asked for were clarified. My only reason for joining was that I needed to work due to responsibilities at home. I have over 12 years of experience, and I have never done this before, nor was it my intention to exit this way. This was a different industry, and when I found the right job for me, I wanted to move out in an ethical way. However, I was kept hanging for a long time with promises of "your letter is on the way" until the last day. I received my appointment/offer letter after joining the new company, so I didn't have a choice. That's the only reason I had to take the medical route so that I could submit my resignation in a couple of weeks. Additionally, I had them posted, which they claim I did not. I was planning to submit my resignation this week. Another point is that I was just two months into the job and still in probation. As I write this, I have already submitted my resignation there. I wasn't given any training because I have years of experience in what they wanted me to do. There were no specifics on the training costs.

Illegal Termination and Training Cost Recovery

Your termination from the company is legally questionable since they have not, presumably, provided you with a charge sheet or show cause notice for long absenteeism, nor have they conducted an inquiry before terminating you. They also did not request in writing for you to rejoin the company. In this scenario, it constitutes illegal termination by the company rather than abandonment of service.

However, since you have joined another company, from the date of joining the new company, it will be considered that you have left the service of the previous company. Even if your appointment letter mentions a two-month notice period or payment in lieu thereof, you are not required to pay since they have terminated your service.

Recovering the training cost, if provided by the company, is a time-consuming matter. The company can only recover such training costs if there was an agreement and through legal processes.

Check my blog www.labourlawhub.com for more information.

Clarification on Pre-Termination Letter Claims

In my pre-termination letter, it is mentioned that they tried to reach me a number of times. The fact is that this is false. They tried to reach me twice. Once, I could not answer, and the second time, my husband spoke to HR. She told my husband that she would keep in touch with him on this matter. It never happened, nor was there any written email regarding this communication with me. Before these calls, I had informed my manager. So, I have informed them. How can they claim that I have disappeared without informing them? Also, they are asking me to come and complete the notice period, despite not joining back.

You need to prove that you informed them, and in the same way, they also need to prove that they tried to reach you. Communication in writing (letter/email) in this case will be valid. Verbal communication will have no value.

You can write to the company challenging the termination as well as deny the fact that they have tried to contact you.

Please check www.labourlawhub.com for more information.

Well, I had sent a text to my manager. Also, I have her acknowledgment. I had sent my resignation last week. Yet to get any response on that.