Resigned After Just 4 Days: Can My Former IT Company Take Legal Action Against Me?

Hi Seniors, I am an IT professional. I recently joined an IT company and worked there for 4 days. Due to some personal problems, I quit that job and returned to my hometown. I informed HR via email and updated the company's portal to confirm that I couldn't continue the job. However, none of the HR personnel responded to me. During those 4 days, I tried to contact the project manager, but he did not respond. Eventually, he informed me that there was no vacant position for me in the project. In that case, why did HR hire me?

Today, I received a notice from the company as a show-cause for being absent. As per my responsibility, I have replied to all emails from company employees. I have not accepted any salary from the company, even though it was credited to my account. I have repeatedly mentioned in my emails about returning the amount to the company, but there has been no response to that either. I do not possess any company properties such as a laptop or token IDs, except for a temporary ID card.

Please advise on this matter. Can the company proceed legally? If so, how can I defend myself? I would appreciate your response to this situation.

Refund the salary credited to your account

How many days' pay is credited to your account? Give a polite reply to the show cause notice, explaining the emergency and seeking relief. Attach copies of emails sent to HR and clearly mention the lack of response from HR or your direct head. They will not go to court or take legal action on such issues, especially since you are ready to repay the salary credited to your account (my personal opinion based on what you have written).

Attendance and payment issues

How did they do such a thing? Is there a system of attendance? If there are attendance records and still they have paid you, it is a mistake on their side, and they are trying to cover up by talking of legal action. One thing you could have done is to have sent a letter by speed post after reaching your native place, and that would have been proof of your contacting them and asking for an exit.

They have credited the salary for a full month. During that 4-day period, my employee ID was also generated. They only provided me with a temporary badge on the 3rd day of joining, and on the 4th day, I returned it. Attendance was marked by card swipe at the entry gate.

Hi, nothing to worry about. As you have worked only for 4 days and are willing to return the salary credited, there will be no legal implications. The only thing is that you could have submitted a proper resignation to your superior and followed the proper exit process, which could have avoided all these issues. You have not mentioned whether you have signed any agreements (such as a training agreement or indemnity bond). Even in that case, the company would have to prove any monetary loss incurred due to your absence.

In the future, always discuss with your superior or HR when you are unable to continue for any reason. Vanishing from duty one fine morning without any information is not a good practice.

Thank you, V. M. Lakshminaraya. I did not receive any training during those days. Additionally, I did not sign any agreement or bond with the company. If there is no project for me in the company related to the technology for which I was hired, then there should be no monetary loss.