Stuck in a Job Bond: Can I Quit to Care for My Parents Without Legal Trouble?

Hello, I am working for a private company. My question is - I have traveled to the US for a process transition for 1 month, and before going on transition, the company told me to sign a bond of 2 years, which I did. Now the issue is I am working in Noida, and my home location is Mumbai. I want to quit the job and move back to Mumbai to take care of my parents as they are not keeping well. Now, when I resign from the company, I have a few questions. Please help me out:

1. Do I need to pay 2 lakh rupees for which I have signed the bond for 2 years as I have not completed 2 years after returning from the US? Till now, I have only completed 8 months with the company.

2. If I don't pay the bond amount, what will happen? Does the company have a legal right to take me to court?

3. Can the company hold my relieving letter if the amount is not paid to them?

Please help me out so that I can move to Mumbai to take care of my parents.

Thanks,
Rakesh M

1. Bonds to withhold an employee are illegal. Through this bond, a company can only recover the amount that has been spent on you for providing any special training and nothing more. Your reason for leaving the job earlier has no significance.

2. If you do not pay Rs. 2 lakhs, the company can take you to court where you need to defend yourself.

3. They may withhold the relieving letter.

You have not mentioned whether you are going to take up an alternate job or not. If you are considering an alternate job before the completion of the 2-year bond that you have agreed to, the company is well within its rights to recover the amount for failing to complete the required period of service.

If you are planning to stay with your parents to take care of them, you can submit all medical records to the employer and try to convince them to waive the 2-year bond.

Does your office have a branch in Mumbai? If yes, try for an amicable transfer.

Please share the bond draft for giving a proper reply. The pretext for which this bond was prepared and signed needs to be verified from the bond document.

Understanding Bond Conditions and Legal Implications

While signing the bond, you might have read all the conditions therein. If you are sent for specialized training, the company has every right to recover the money spent on your training. Simply asking you to pay is not correct; the company has to establish the fact of spending the money with proofs; otherwise, the bond will not stand. Try for a transfer if they have a branch in Mumbai. Talk to your superior with an open mind and seek advice. Moving around the courts is painful, time-consuming, and mentally stressful.

Regards, B.L.N. Patrudu