Can My Former Employer Legally Add Negative Comments After I Paid for My Relieving Letter?

My question is regarding the experience letter I obtained from my previous organization. I have resigned while I was on maternity leave and couldn't serve the notice period. I had to pay three months' salary to get my relieving letter. I couldn't pay that amount at that time, so I didn't. Now, after three years, I have made the payment to get my relieving letter, but they mentioned in my experience letter that I absconded, however, cleared all my dues. I'm not getting a job even though I get selected because of this negative comment. Is it legal to mention a negative comment after paying the amount to get the relieving letter, and to whom do I escalate this issue?

Unethical Treatment of Resignation by Employers

In my opinion, it is quite unethical and unprofessional for an employer to treat a resignation without serving the notice period or its buy-out initially, but subsequently paid the notice salary, as abscondence to mar the resignee's future career.

When the employer actually kept the resignation on hold for non-compliance with the notice condition by the employee and failed to initiate any disciplinary action for abscondence, but releases the relieving orders after collecting the notice salary after 3 years with such negative remarks, it is indicative of the malafide intention of the management towards an ex-employee. Factually and legally, it is not abscondence. Even if it is done inadvertently or out of ignorance, it certainly needs appropriate correction by the ex-employer.

I also do not think that the HR personnel of the organizations from which the poster might have sought employment later are unaware of this, but they would have simply rejected her candidature due to the gap in her career.

So, the poster can write back to the ex-employer to issue modified relieving orders accordingly, stating the above reasons. If they fail to do so or do not respond, initiate a civil suit against them for damages.

It sounds frustrating that despite clearing your dues, your previous organization mentioned negative comments in your experience letter, affecting your job prospects. You may consider escalating this issue to the HR department of your previous organization or seeking guidance from a labor rights organization for further assistance.