Lecturer in university approved college in Maharashtra - HR asked him to submit resignation just for paper work

Madam/Sir,

One of my friends is working as a lecturer in a university-approved college in Maharashtra. He received university approval for his post in October 2016. Now, HR has asked him to submit his resignation just for paperwork, and there will be no impact on his continuation. The college asked him in a very polite manner. They also informed him that they will keep the resignation at the college only and will not forward it to the University.

Sir/Madam, please shed some light on the legality of the matter and why they are making this request.

Thank you.

Forcing an employee to submit an undated resignation letter at the time of joining or anytime afterward is a sheer unethical and unfair labor practice on the part of the concerned employer. What is the guarantee that such a letter would not be used by the management at a later date? Instead, the management of the college can legally place the employee on a certain period of probation with the condition that if his performance as well as behavior is not up to their satisfaction during the probation period, his services can be simply terminated without assigning any reason or notice.

So the poster may advise his friend not to yield to such unethical pressures at any cost. One should know how to say 'no' when he doesn't want to say 'yes'.

Resignation by an employed person is voluntary and not dictated by the employer. Arbitrariness is being interpreted by a few unscrupulous employers as discretion or whatever, which is unlawful, unethical, and unacceptable by civilized society. Yet, there are exceptions to the rule. Let us all resist.

Kritarth Team of HR Professionals Practitioners
11.11.2019

Dear Colleague,

I share the same view that asking for an undated resignation letter at the time of joining under any pretext is unethical and illegal. Your friend not only should not give a resignation letter but also ask the authorities to give in writing their commitments, and I am certain they would not give it.

Regards,
Vinayak Nagarkar
HR Consultant