Facing a Notice Period Dilemma: What Happens If I Can't Serve or Pay?

Hi Sir, I joined a company on 19th September 2022, but I didn't like the profile. Therefore, I submitted my resignation on 2nd October 2022. They neither responded nor took back the assets, for which they deducted Rs. 10,000 from my first salary. After numerous requests, they replied today stating that I must serve a one-month notice period or pay in lieu if I choose not to serve. However, I am unable to comply as I need to explore other opportunities urgently. If I do not serve the notice period or make the payment, what actions will they take? I am willing to return their assets upon request.

Thank you.

Hi, Strictly speaking, the notice period will not be a criterion for such a short resignation. However, as they are insisting, why not complete your notice period and get properly relieved?

Actually, I have worked for only 10 days and have received another job offer from a different company. They want me to join as soon as possible. I am unable to serve notice at my current company as they are requiring daily travel.

Hi, even if you are not in a position to serve notice, hand over all company assets you have to them and get acknowledgment. If you are okay with termination, then it is your call.

This is now becoming an alarming trend. Accepting a job offer and even joining a service without understanding the organizational culture often leads to regret, and the challenge becomes how to distance oneself from the already created obligations. Now, what assurance is there that the next organization will be any better?

Notice Period Fulfillment
If, according to your contract of appointment, there is a one-month notice period, then it must be fulfilled.

After reviewing the questionnaire correspondence, it seems the issue arises from your dissatisfaction with the current company due to a slightly better salary offer from another company. Your decision has resulted in the wastage of the company's valuable time in hiring and completing essential paperwork. Consequently, the company now has to repeat the hiring process to find a replacement for you. It is crucial to consider why you expect leniency from the current company when your actions have placed them in a difficult situation.

I'm going for a package lower than this. This company told me I would be doing B2B sales, but now they are asking me to do both B2C and B2B, which requires me to travel to their dealer shops every day. Being female, I don't see long-term prospects in this role, which is why I'm leaving. Just as an employer goes through many processes to onboard an employee, an employee also puts in a lot of effort to secure a job and settle in a good company. However, life always seems to come with disclaimers after good moments, and the same has happened to me. People may say I'm chasing money, etc., but in reality, I'm pursuing a work-life balance, a good profile, and a positive work culture.

Dear, You have posted your query anonymously and have not provided all the facts. If you post a query with incomplete details, nobody can give you the right answer. Differences in Job Responsibilities If there are differences in job responsibilities, you should clearly communicate them. Have a discussion with HR. If they do not agree with you, make your decision. Furthermore, one month is nothing; time will pass while you are posting your query, etc.

Hello Anonymous,

It is completely understandable how it feels when you are hired for a certain profile and then required to do something else. However, there are always other options to deal with it. Wasn't it worthwhile to be vocal about it and strongly ask for what was promised?

Besides, even if you don't want to continue with the current company, a graceful exit in a responsible way is expected, especially when the company and the candidate have both invested the same amount of time and effort. Isn't it?

Don't take me wrong, but perhaps it seems like you want to quickly escape from the situation. Instead, I would suggest keeping calm, serving the notice period as mentioned in the appointment letter, and walking out in peace.

Further, when posting such queries, offer essential details in your post so the learned members here can suggest the rightful course of action based on the details.

All the best for the future!

Today, the employable age makes it advantageous for freshers because all companies advertise looking for them. Now, if you accepted an offer and have not even completed one month before jumping to another, my first point is to be true to yourself. Consider that the payment of one month is your investment and just move ahead by either paying the amount or allowing a deduction from your pay, and be grateful to your employer.

Down the line in your career, who knows, the same executive may interview you in another company or reject you as unreliable just by looking at your photo in the CV. Don't think you can get away with this by arguing, as destiny might lead you to a similar situation. The world is small, and your face is your index to your professional world. The rest is left to you to decide wisely or face the consequences.

After writing the reply, I observe that he is agitated with his responsibilities. He has not edited his question with full details but is starting an argument. Initially, I thought he was in IT. But when he mentions B2B & B2C, it seems he doesn't want to learn but expects a white-collar job in B2B, sitting in one place.

Opportunities do not strike frequently. I see many product executives in marketing who visit distributors and customers to know the end-user details and conduct research for the company to improve the product and innovate. Without customers, there is no business, and this applies even to a shop.