Resignation Problem - Can they increase my notice period in such an unethical way? And how to handle this situation?

I have resigned from my job. The employer has accepted my resignation. But after some days my office laptop came with some issue. So the IT department told me to submit the laptop to the office, so they can repair it. But after one day I got a mail stating that due to a system issue you have to complete the remaining days of the notice period once lockdown gets over. Can they increase my notice period in such an unethical way? And how to handle this situation?

You have to respond to the mail stating that the notice period has to be in continuation with the resignation. There cannot be any uncertainty regarding the end date of your employment as you have to join elsewhere. Highlight all these aspects and put your feet down and indicate your last date of service as per the notice period.

KK!HR thanks for your reply. Can they ask me to submit offer Letter from another company because I have quit the job for entrance exam preparation. Moreover first they told me through mail that you have to complete only 10 days of notice period but now they are forcing me to complete 30 days. As per my contact notice period is of 30 days.

You have not got a job yet
so what exactly is the problem if you were to complete the last few days of the notice period later?

Technically speaking the instructions are not valid because work and notice period can not be extended due to lockdown. If you still do not want to complete it, then you need to reply saying that the notice period must be continuous and lockdown does not affect it. Whether you show the appointment letter or not is your choice, no one can force you to share it.

Saswatabanerjee thanks for your reply. Company is forcing me to use personal laptop for work. Also they are telling that they are not able arrange system for me. Moreover they are harrsing me by saying that they will terminate me as I am not completing notice period.

I do not see any problem in you using your personal computer for doing the work of your employer during the notice period, specially when there is a lockdown that prevents them from allowing you into the office.

The likelyhood of them giving a laptop to someone who has resigned and is not willing to complete notice period is low as they fear you may even abscond with the laptop. There is nothing wrong in expecting you to use your laptop to work from home, just as thousands others are doing all across the country.

I have absolutely no idea why you consider your laptop as such a precious commodity that you do not want to use it for legitimate work.

I am not surprised that they are threatening to terminate you for refusal to do work.

It seems to me that the most logical thing for you to do is to complete your notice period by working from your home and do the work sincerely. Remember it is a small world and burning a bridge is a bad idea when you may need to have them cooperate on a background check later.

They did it purposefully and took office system away from me. Moreover changed my last working date multiple times. Is this legal ?