Interesting case of wrongful termination by a foreigner company in India !
Hi,
I was working in India office of one of the top 3 Chinese Company as an Associate Director. I worked there till 15 months. Initially I was hired on 3rd party payroll. During my 1st probation period, Company was so happy with my performance that within 2.5 months only they themselves decided to transfer me from 3rd party to Company’s payroll.
Timeline - My growth in the company
1. One month bonus just after 4 months job only.
2. Within 6 months from joining date, Best New Joiner award was given
3. sent to China within 5 months to train people
4. Just after total 7 months, approx. 20% increment and 2 months bonus were also given.
I was being presented like the best example to all employees across all offices in India, China, Indonesia and Russia.
But in October month, I was given a termination letter without any reason. I requested them to tell me the reason, but they denied telling. International HR Head simply said that it is written in your appointment letter at Point No. 8B that your services can be terminated without any reason and any time.
Two important rules mentioned in appointment letter:-
1. According to rule no. 8B – your appointment can be terminated by the company without any reason, by giving you not less than 1 month prior notice in writing or salary in lieu thereof. For the purpose of this clause salary shall mean basic salary.
2. According to rule no. 8D – The company reserves the right to terminate your employment summarily without any notice period or termination payment if it has reasonable ground to believe that you are guilty of misconduct or negligence or have committed any fundamental breach of contract of caused any loss to the company.
In my termination letter, rule no.8B was mentioned.
Points to be noted:-
1. They have given my salary of October month, with unpaid leaves and probably basis salary of November month as well.
2. I do not care about money. I am worried about my image and respect. I am into my industry for last 18 years and I have goodwill there. In my last two companies (Both are two biggest brands of the industry), my resignation was never accepted due to my great performance and value.
3. When I got a call from local HR person first time about job offer, I asked about such conditions, she denied. Rule No.8B was not mentioned in the appointment given from 3rd party but when I got transferred from 3rd party to company’s direct payroll, and then it was mentioned. 2nd point is that appointment letter from company (Direct Payroll) was given after almost 45 days. Signature was done in back date.
My questions:-
1. Can it be considered as wrongful termination?
2. Can I sue them for defamation because it has damaged my reputation?
3. Well, appointment was signed by me and rules no.8B is mentioned there; still can it be challenged in court successfully?
4. If I send notice to them, can it back fire to me?
Thanks
Asked 7 years ago in Civil Law
Point no. 5 under 'My questions' section (missed due to shortage of space in text box)
5. If company does not disclose such termination clauses in written at the time of offering job, can it be challenged in court because if company discloses such termination rules at the time of job offer, no one would join them. It means company is cheating with employees. Employees have to sign the appointment letter because as they get job offer letter, they resign in their current company and when they join this Chinese company, then company give this appointment letter with termination rule which employees can not reject otherwise they lose both jobs. Due to this, employees’ retention ratio is poor in this company in India office.
Asked 7 years ago
Hi All,
Thanks a lot for your valuable suggestions. I got a job after one year of my wrongful termination. Now it has been 22 months for wrongful termination and have got some stability in the profession life. Therefore I am now thinking to file civil suit for wrongful termination but need to give you some updates related to my all cases against my ex-employer.
I was wrongly termination because my employer company was working against India and I was a biggest hurdle for them. I have all proofs (thousands of documentary evidences). Company did not mention any reason in writing in termination letter.
Two employees of the company (Top officials who fired me wrongfully) has now become ‘Proclaimed Offender’
Court has registered another case of 340 CrPC and issued notices to the company for giving false evidence in the criminal defamation case.
Now my queries are related to wrongful termination. As I was in top managerial position, therefore ID Act is not applicable in my case. I was wrongfully terminated 22 months back. I have following queries regarding the same:-
1. As I was holding a managerial position, therefore, labour court laws are not applicable in my case and I can not apply in labour court. Question - Can I now apply in civil suit or si there any other court for handling wrongful termination case?
2. My permanent residence is in Kavi Nagar, Ghaziabad but the office was in Gurgaon. Now I am working in Mumbai. Question - Where can I apply - Ghaziabad court or Gurgoan or Mumbai or anywhere in India?
3. Fee - I sent a legal notice to the employer 22 months back (compensation INR 2.25 crore). If the law allows me to go in lower court (Ghaziabad), how much court fee will I have to pay as a deposit (or % of compensation claim)?
4. Fees Exemption - If I opt to pay the court fee later (after 3-4 months), can I get the exemption?
Thanks
Asked 5 years ago