Stuck in a Bond: How Should I Handle My Company's Demand for Three Months' Salary?

My name is Ramanjaneyulu. I'm working in a startup pharmaceutical company where I have to sign a bond for 1 lakh and submit my original documents for a 2-year bond period. After one year of service, without any intimation, I was unable to attend duties for 15 days. At that time, the company's HR, without sending a warning letter or calling me, asked for three months' gross salaries in exchange for the original documents and service certificates.

Bond Conditions

There are two conditions:
1. To break the bond, I need to pay 1 lakh.
2. Three months' salary or three months' notice period is required.

I have previous experience from another company. The current company did not provide any training at the time of my joining. Now, they are asking for three months' gross salary. I want to clarify that I am willing to work for the entire bond period, but the company is asking for money instead.

Understanding the Notice Period and Bond Obligations

It is not clear what the issue you are raising is. However, it appears that you want to question the employer's response regarding insisting on payment for the notice period rather than serving it. The notice period clause must be considered to analyze your obligation.

As a matter of general principle, you should insist and reply to them, stating your readiness to serve the notice period in full if you are so inclined. As for the bond, the principle is that there should be a proportionate reduction in the bond amount for the period you have served. Indeed, the notice period and bond service go concurrently, so even if you have to pay for the notice period, the bond amount should accordingly decrease by including three more months of service.

Illegal Demand for Bond Amount

Their demand for the bond amount is illegal. Since you have not received any training, they cannot demand it. Moreover, keeping your original certificates and asking for an amount to release them is illegal. It is acceptable for them to deduct 15 days' salary for the period you remained on leave without notice, but they cannot demand the bond amount. You can take the matter to court to retrieve your certificates.