My Story

I would like share my share my story regarding the bonds at the software firm I was working before joining XIMB.

The amount of the bond was Rs 50000 and duration was 2 years. It was applicable for fresh graduate engineers joining in the position of Assistant System Engineer-Trainee. The clause regarding the bond was very cleverly included in the offer and joining letter. So, any fresher seeking to join the company would have to agree in signing the bond in the mask of accepting the offer. However, this bond was not applicable for lateral joinees. So, the intention of the company was to recover the amount that they spent in the initial training of the employee.

But here we need not pay the amount to the company in advance like the case in Aatyam. So, we need not pay interest on an amount which I wasn’t using. Instead, it needed to be signed by two guarantors who would be liable to pay the amount if someone leaving before the bond period.

If someone was sent abroad there was another bond of amount 150000 for a period of 6 months when he would come back. This was very much same as in the case of Chutney computers.

Now, coming back to my story. My waitlist in XIMB got converted only one week before the date of joining. Considering the amount of confusion regarding the increase in seats I was not in a position to inform my manager regarding the call. In case of non-conversion, it might also have dented my onsite opportunity as my visa processing had already been started. The behaviour of my manager was also one of the reasons behind keeping him aloof of the proceedings. In fact three of us from the same team resigned on the same date just to put him in trouble.

Then came a series of problems. He was not ready to accept our resignation and I was more in trouble as I had only one week’s time to complete all the formalities. I was also asking for the concession of the bond amount as company had a policy to provide some consideration when someone leaving for higher studies (Maybe too much!!). But he threatened me that company will not provide me experience certificate for such a short notice and it may put me in trouble in future employments. Even, I tried to convince him through my clients (whom I respect so much for their professionalism) who agreed to release me as I was going for higher studies. After all my attempts went in vain, I contacted my mentor who in fact inspired me to leave the company. He helped me to get in touch with the HR Head of the region. But he was also not able to release me as my manager turned down his request showing project issues. As per the restructuring of the company project managers were given utmost authority to have control over the resources working under him.

As my last date for admission was approaching I left the company without taking formal release. My salary was also getting credited as I was still an employee of the organization. After a week I got a call from HR Head to join back; otherwise they would have to file an absconding case against me. So, I had to go back requesting for release. But my manager was still not ready for it. Fortunately, my official allocation went over for few days during that period which was the main obstacle for HR to intervene into the issue. I informed HR regarding the loophole in the system. This time they responded positively. They released me and asked to keep project people unaware of it.

I got all required documents but had to pay the bond amount of 50000 despite only one month was remaining to complete the bond period. I also hadn’t requested much to give any concession as a formal release was more important for me. And our goal to put the manager in trouble and remove him from the position was successful. I was happy about it!!