When does immediate termination of service become effective?

When does immediate termination of service become effective? I think service should end as soon as the termination with immediate effect letter is served. But the letter my friend got states that her immediate termination will take effect after 2 days so that she can return company property in the meantime. She says that by granting her 2 days, the termination is no longer with immediate effect. Who is right?

Hi,

Immediate termination means very much immediate on the same day wherein the termination of employment is communicated/ termination letter is issued.

When a specific date is mentioned as the date of termination, it should be perceived as by the closing hours of the mentioned date.

The whole issue is - can a letter of "immediate termination of service" be issued on 01-June and be effective 05-June? Passage of 4 days defeats the word "immediate". This appears to be more of a notice-bound termination of service.

Does anyone have any insights into such matters?

When you join any organization, many employers state that your appointment will be effective from the specified date. Similarly, if a termination date is mentioned in the termination letter, it may be effective from that date. The employer is well within its rights to recover or take back the company's assets/documents, etc. If the employer has given a 5-day period to meet this objective, they can proceed with it.

If you are a worker covered under the Industrial Disputes Act and protected by labor laws, you can challenge the termination based on other grounds, but you cannot contest the effective date of termination unless it has caused you prejudice.

Dr. Kamlesh Agrawal
Mumbai