Anonymous
Hi Everyone,

I have certain doubts about my resignation. I dropped my resignation at the end of the 4th month of maternity leave on 29th Nov 2021 due to my personal situation. I received my relieving date on 28th Feb 2022. However, my employer is not allowing me to be relieved, stating that I cannot serve the notice period during maternity leave and that I have to drop my resignation once my maternity leave completes and serve a three-month notice period.

Doubts that have arisen are:

1. Whether we can submit separation during maternity leave.
2. Any alternative solutions to help me get relieved at the earliest.
3. As a maternity employee, I have already provided knowledge transfer to the person who replaced me.

Please help me figure out how to navigate this situation as I am currently experiencing mental and postpartum depression.

From India, Chennai
Acknowledge(0)
Amend(0)

Resignation and Maternity Benefit, i.e., Maternity Leave, are two different and distinct aspects of employment. The former is covered by the terms of voluntary separation under the contract of employment, and the latter under the concerned law. Therefore, ordinarily it is better not to combine them.

The poster can resign upon her rejoining after the expiry of her maternity leave by observing the notice conditions. If it is urgent and inevitable, she should be prepared to buy out the entire notice period. Her request, if any, to adjust the remaining leave period against the notice period may not be workable if the employer refuses the same. Effectively, it makes no difference. Apart from being unethical on the part of the employee, such an act would set a bad precedent.

When the employee is already on maternity leave, the necessity for resignation with immediate effect does not arise unless there is a peculiar reason, such as suddenly migrating to another country. Still, if the poster clings to her stance, she has no option other than the one first stated.

From India, Salem
Acknowledge(0)
Amend(0)

Anonymous
1

When we expect fairness from the employer, we too should demonstrate our end as well. As Umakanthan sir has suggested, one must buy out the notice period or surrender earned leave. You can't have your cake and eat it too.
From India, Karwar
Acknowledge(0)
Amend(0)

When an employee has enjoyed the maternity benefits and, due to health reasons, she cannot continue the job or rejoin after the maternity period, then the employer should definitely consider health grounds with a doctor's certificate along with a notice period waiver. In case the employee decides to leave without completing the formalities of the notice period, she would need to forego the maternity benefits, as she cannot enjoy the benefits of maternity provided by the company when choosing to quit and pay for the notice period.

Ethically, it is not correct to resign while on maternity leave unless there are health-related reasons necessitating such a decision.

From India, Hyderabad
Acknowledge(0)
Amend(0)

The Maternity Benefit is welfare-oriented. Ethically, putting in paperwork during this benefit period is not correct. By any stretch of the imagination, there was no warrant situation from the employee's side to separate from the organization, except for migration from one country to another under deterrent circumstances.

As a fair and principled employer, we accepted the resignation and complied with the notice period as part of the contractual employment agreement.

The employee has two options:

1. Buy out the notice period.
2. Surrender earned leave or negotiate for early relieving by stating the actual situation and expressing willingness to buy out the short notice period.

The employer will also have no problem as the knowledge transfer has already been completed. Both parties will be in a win-win situation.

From India, Hyderabad
Acknowledge(0)
Amend(0)

Engage with peers to discuss and resolve work and business challenges collaboratively - share and document your knowledge. Our AI-powered platform, features real-time fact-checking, peer reviews, and an extensive historical knowledge base. - Join & Be Part Of Our Community.





Contact Us Privacy Policy Disclaimer Terms Of Service

All rights reserved @ 2025 CiteHR ®

All Copyright And Trademarks in Posts Held By Respective Owners.