Facing Job Search Challenges After Leaving Without a Relieving Letter – How Can I Move Forward?

raghujr
Background and Current Situation
I worked at an Indian IT company for 5.5 years, during which I was promoted three times. I resigned when my mother's health deteriorated. I was serving my notice period diligently and had handed over all my work to a new teammate who was to be my replacement. However, my project manager became difficult a couple of weeks into my notice period, assigning me tasks related to another programming language that I was unfamiliar with and had no time to learn. After another two weeks, the situation worsened when he assigned me even more critical work, setting me up for failure. This made no sense to me. I informed HR, who spoke to the manager, but instead of improving, the situation deteriorated. He threatened to extend my stay beyond the two months, and knowing his history, I was aware he could do that.

Decision to Leave and Consequences
I sent an email on a Friday morning, including him and HR, stating that I would no longer come to work due to the treatment I received. Long story short:
1. I have the salary slips.
2. The company gave me gratuity (I have company-generated documents and emails for that).
3. The company gave me PF (I have documents and emails for that too).
4. The company did not give me a relieving letter.

Current Concerns and Future Plans
It's been about six months. My mother has recovered, and I want to return to work. I have solid references from this old company (other than my last manager). However, when they call the company office, I am sure I will be marked as absconding or something similar.

How can I mitigate this? Skill set-wise, I am among the handful of data scientists. I have always been professional except for that last incident. I really need to get back on track. I am seriously considering moving to a place like Abu Dhabi where they don't do background checks. Please help.
Cite Contribution
Please write to your HR team or the Head of HR requesting a release on humanitarian grounds and offer to buy out the remaining duration of the notice period that you didn't serve. Attach documents that state your mother's health was critical when you left and, if possible, share the handover that you completed.

No matter what, please do not complain. Just remain patient. If you need us to help you with the letter, share a draft that you would send them, and we can guide you on that. Send that letter as a registered post.

Wish you all the best!
nathrao
Apart from what the learned member above has suggested, try seeking opportunities in the Gulf and complete a good tenure there. This will help in terms of obtaining good references and documents.

Get in touch with the HR department of the company where the manager is being harsh and have a personal interaction with them. Point out that throughout your service, there was good output and no problems at all. I am sure that other team members have a poor opinion of this manager, whom you term as a sadist.

The HR will likely be aware of the reputation, and proper, patient communication will help you secure the necessary relief documents.

Regards
If you are knowledgeable about any fact, resource or experience related to this topic - please add your views. For articles and copyrighted material please only cite the original source link. Each contribution will make this page a resource useful for everyone. Join To Contribute