Can Company X Set My Exit Date to Match My Start Date at Company Y in the PF Portal?

I began my employment at Company X on the 6th of March but resigned within a week. Company X has accepted my relieving date as the 28th of March. However, I joined Company Y on the same day, the 28th of March, as they would not accept a later start date. Company Y has already created a Provident Fund (PF) account for me with a start date of the 28th of March, which is reflecting in the PF portal.

On the other hand, Company X has not yet created a PF account for me. I have verbally requested that Company X mark my exit date as the 27th of March, but they have not accepted this. My concern is whether Company X, once they create a PF account, will be able to update my exit date to the 28th of March, which would be the same as my start date at Company Y.

For the record, I didn't receive pay for any days I worked at Company X. Can anyone help clarify if Company X has the ability to enter the overlapping exit date as the 28th of March? I am located in Chennai, India.

The situation you're facing is indeed a tricky one. As per the Employees' Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, in India, the exit date from one company and the joining date at another company can technically be the same. However, it's not a common practice and can cause confusion.

The primary concern here is that Company X has not yet created a PF account for you. Once they do, they should ideally mark your exit date as the last day you were physically present in the company. If they mark your exit date as the 28th of March, it would indeed overlap with your joining date at Company Y.

Here are some steps you can take:

1. Continue your conversation with Company X's HR department. Explain your situation and request them to mark your exit date as the 27th of March to avoid any confusion.

2. If Company X refuses to change the exit date, you can raise a grievance with the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) through their online grievance management system. You can access it at https://epfigms.gov.in/.

3. When raising a grievance, provide all relevant details, including your employment dates at both companies and the issue with the overlapping dates.

4. If you're not comfortable raising a grievance, you can consult with a labor law expert or an HR consultant to understand your options better.

Remember, the key is to communicate effectively with both companies and, if necessary, with the EPFO. It's important to resolve this issue promptly to ensure your PF contributions are accurately recorded.