Resignation for Extended 2 year sabbatical - breach Wipro's code of conduct

Dear All,

I need your urgent help regarding my situation. I used to work for Wipro Ltd, an IT giant sector. Now, I have given resignation via the online portal after my 2-year sabbatical leave period. As I am still pursuing my master's abroad, which is set to be completed by December 2017, I cannot return to India and rejoin the company. Recently, I received an email from Compliance HRSS stating that after my resignation, I was absent from work without any approval from July 3, 2017, until the present date. They are claiming that I breached Wipro's code of conduct as outlined in the offer letter. I had been sending emails requesting my release, but I never received a response from anyone. Now, they are demanding that I come to work immediately and provide a written explanation.

At the time of resigning, I clearly stated in the comments that I cannot return and rejoin the company due to my ongoing higher studies. I wish to resign voluntarily, but they are insisting that I come to work and provide a written explanation.

I kindly request your suggestions on how I should address this situation with HR to secure my release from the company without any further complications. Please assist.

Regards,
Syed Abdul Muqtadir

Dear Syed,

Your sabbatical was of a 2-year duration. When was it due to end? In your communication with your employer, did you inform them about the extension of your education course? As a consequence of this extension, did you ask for an extension of the sabbatical as well? Why did you resign instead of requesting an extension of the sabbatical?

I recommend writing a letter to the HR Head of your organization. In this letter, detail in chronological order the communication you had with HR. Attach copies of your past correspondence as well as the letter you received from HR. Obtain a certificate from your education institute or university stating the likely completion date of your course and include it with your application.

Print out your application and attachments, and send them by post to the Head of HR. Retain the docket or receipt from the post office for your records.

After completing these steps, let's wait for your employer's response. Further suggestions will be provided based on their response.

Thanks,

Dinesh Divekar

Dear Dinesh,

Thanks a ton for your suggestion, and I follow the same. My sabbatical ended on the 2nd of July. I clearly mentioned in the resignation comments that I would be graduating in December 2017. Once I complete my degree, I will be glad to rejoin the same company abroad. I have sent emails to HR and the Resource Manager multiple times to request my release, but I have not received any response from them. As per the policy, I am sure they will not extend my leave.

Moreover, my assignments at the University are ongoing, so in my current situation, I cannot return and rejoin the company.

Dear Syed,

As stated in the previous post, you should have asked for an extension of sabbatical and should not have submitted a letter of resignation. Instead of acceding to your request, if the company had advised you to submit a resignation, you could have done that. Secondly, I doubt you had sent the letter of resignation along with the certificate from your university. Therefore, partially the confusion is because of improper communication.

When did you give the letter of resignation? Was it before 02-Jul-2017 or after that? If you have submitted it after the due date, then company authorities might have perceived that yours might not be a genuine case and that the extension on sabbatical might have been asked on flimsy grounds.

If there was no communication on your resignation and subsequent reminders, why did you not give a telephone call to your company? If the particular medium of communication was not effective, you could have chosen another medium, such as telephonic communication. In my previous post, I have told you to write an application addressed to the Head HR. However, before doing that, even now, you may give a call and find out who exactly is dealing with your case. Address the letter to him with a copy to the Head HR.

Lastly, the usage of the word "rejoin" in your letter of resignation was not required. In case if you had left the employment, then you could have rejoined. But those who proceed on sabbatical, they remain on the rolls of the company. Sabbatical is nothing but long leave and it could be with or without pay. However, on completion of leave, employees "resume their duties" and do not "rejoin."

Thanks,
Dinesh Divekar