Navigating Notice Periods During COVID: Can I Request an Extension Due to Pandemic Challenges?

I resigned from my company last month, and my last working day was at the end of last month. The usual notice period is 3 months, but they gave me an early release. I hadn't been to the company since the last week of March as the company was functioning with minimal manpower. They started asking people to return to duty from the beginning of last month. They had asked me for my tentative return date. Due to the COVID situation, I mentioned that it would take me approximately 2 months to join back. However, the company has asked me to buy out the months from the end of March to the end of May for 2 months. Considering the COVID situation, can I go back and ask them to extend my notice period for the full 3 months?

Resignation and Re-employment Considerations

Once your employer accepted your resignation and issued a Resignation Acceptance Order effective from a mutually agreed date, your resignation has officially been processed. Therefore, you have forfeited any claim, privilege, or right to recall or request altering the date of discharge from the muster-roll of the employer/establishment.

In case your employer considers your appeal to allow you to resume employment, it would be a case of re-employment, even if in the same post previously occupied by you. Employers always need and welcome talented individuals for their business growth, so you may apply for a suitable post/vacancy.

Regards, Harsh K Shran, Kritarth Team of Management Caretakers 4.6.2020