Resignation Dilemma: Can My Employer Extend My Notice Period Unfairly During Lockdown? How Should I Respond?

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

You have to respond to the email stating that the notice period must continue 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, assert your position, and indicate your last date of service as per the notice period.

Hi KK, thank you for your reply. Can they ask me to submit an offer letter from another company because I have quit the job for entrance exam preparation? Moreover, first, they told me through email that I only had to complete a 10-day notice period, but now they are forcing me to complete 30 days. As per my contract, the notice period is 30 days.

Completing the Notice Period During Lockdown

You have not secured a new 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 the notice period cannot be extended due to the lockdown. If you still do not want to complete it, then you need to reply stating that the notice period must be continuous and the lockdown does not affect it. Whether you choose to show the appointment letter or not is your decision; no one can force you to share it.

Thank you, Saswata Banerjee, for your reply. The company is forcing me to use my personal laptop for work. They are also stating that they are unable to arrange a system for me. Furthermore, they are harassing me by threatening to terminate my employment for not completing the notice period.

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

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

I have absolutely no idea why you consider your laptop 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 the office system away from me. Moreover, they changed my last working date multiple times. Is this legal?