Facing a Huge Bond After Resigning for Health Reasons: How Can I Negotiate It Down?

Hi folks, I recently resigned from an IT company due to health issues. Currently, I am unemployed and the bond amount they are asking for is greater than 1 lakh. How do I negotiate so that it could be reduced because it is a huge amount for me?

One more thing, my notice period was reduced to 7 days, and I was on leave for the complete notice period but was present on the Last Working Day (LWD). Could this be a problem?

Here, the management has reduced your notice period, though it might be at your request or their concern (you have not mentioned it). If they have reduced it and are asking for notice pay, it might be too much (an ambitious intention of the management) for you, as you were unwell and are now forced to pay the bond amount. I think you can send an official email or letter to them seeking a review of the decision on the bond amount. Certainly, the management can understand your concern and reduce the notice pay simultaneously as they did with your notice period.

Hi Venkata,

No, it's not the notice pay amount. Before joining, I signed a bond to serve the company for a minimum of 1.5 years, and since I left before completing the term, that is why they are asking for it. I didn't request them to reduce my notice period; it was done by the management itself.

Okay, in that case, they voluntarily reduced it. Now, you can request them to review the decision of the bond amount. You should have gotten the same cleared at the time of the last working day to ensure you have a soft exit. But anyhow, you can approach and get it reduced, provided they are convinced.

Dear Anno,

Were you relieved from your duties in writing? If so, were you released from the contract due to your ill health? If that's the case, what's the purpose of requesting the bond amount? Is bonded employment even legal? Anyway, you should request that the management consider your decision as being made due to your inability, not intentionally, and thus, should approach it from humanitarian grounds.

Thank you.