Employer pressuring me to return or pay severance after a medical emergency — do I legally owe them anything?

Community Forums Legal Advice India Employer pressuring me to return or pay severance after a medical emergency — do I legally owe them anything?

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    • #3728 Reply
      Epicsarika7278
      Participant
        E
        Epicsarika7278
        PARTICIPANT
        May 2, 2025 at 5:26 pm
        I recently resigned from my job and was in the middle of serving my notice period when I experienced a serious, life-threatening medical emergency (with proper medical documentation to support it). I communicated my condition clearly to my employer, letting them know I wouldn’t be able to continue the notice period due to the severity of both my physical and mental condition.

        Initially, they said they’d wait for my recovery, but now they’ve started sending follow-up emails and today sent me a *severance recovery calculation*, asking me to pay a “notice buyout” amount. There is a company policy that if you don’t serve notice period you’re liable to pay the company Rs. 1L.

        I’ve already given them access to my email and documents for handover, and I’ve made it clear I cannot return in any capacity due to the ongoing distress. Despite this, they keep pressuring me — which is worsening my recovery. I feel harassed and unsafe.

        **My questions:**

        * Can they legally demand this money even when I’ve shown medical inability to serve notice?
        * Is there any legal protection for employees facing mental distress and health-related issues during exit?
        * Can I push back on this without them taking legal action or affecting my future employment?

      • #3731 Reply
        Epicsarika7278
        Participant
          E
          Epicsarika7278
          OP
          May 2, 2025 at 5:29 pm
          Some more context: This injury (a brain injury) happened when I had a very high fever and I demanded a leave to take care of myself but was refused. It was then I overexerted myself at work and had a brain injury by falling in the bathroom.

          In the same company, I’ve seen other employees leave without even serving notice period and not owe the company anything whereas in this case I’m being targeted.

          • #3735 Reply
            Rakhieagle417
            Participant
              R
              Rakhieagle417
              PARTICIPANT
              May 2, 2025 at 6:21 pm
              Wait you fell and injured yourself in their premises, after a leave was denied to you for suffering from fever?

              • #3738 Reply
                Epicsarika7278
                Participant
                  E
                  Epicsarika7278
                  OP
                  May 2, 2025 at 6:50 pm
                  I fell at home after I was denied leave for the day and unable to take care of myself.

                • #3737 Reply
                  Swiftdude393
                  Participant
                    S
                    Swiftdude393
                    PARTICIPANT
                    May 2, 2025 at 7:28 pm
                    Even if it happened at office, I’m not surprised! Once I had severe panic attack and difficulty in breathing in the middle of the meeting. The medical room was full and I literally begged everyone in the meeting room and everyone I saw here and there for help. Everyone was scared to pause their job and help me. Including the security.

                • #3734 Reply
                  Shachiseeker740
                  Participant
                    S
                    Shachiseeker740
                    PARTICIPANT
                    May 2, 2025 at 6:40 pm
                    if you have evidence falling in the premises and denied leave then I think you’re liable to sue them(not a lawyer )

                    • #3736 Reply
                      Epicsarika7278
                      Participant
                        E
                        Epicsarika7278
                        OP
                        May 2, 2025 at 6:51 pm
                        I have proof on mail of leave denial.

                    • #3733 Reply
                      Swiftdude393
                      Participant
                        S
                        Swiftdude393
                        PARTICIPANT
                        May 2, 2025 at 7:27 pm
                        Even if it happened at office, I’m not surprised! Once I had severe panic attack and difficulty in breathing in the middle of the meeting. The medical room was full and I literally begged everyone in the room and everyone I saw here and there for help. Everyone was scared to pause their job and help me. Including the security.

                    • #3730 Reply
                      Luckybear8410
                      Participant
                        L
                        Luckybear8410
                        PARTICIPANT
                        May 2, 2025 at 5:38 pm
                        Sue them for damages, harassment and hostile work environment

                        • #3732 Reply
                          Epicsarika7278
                          Participant
                            E
                            Epicsarika7278
                            OP
                            May 3, 2025 at 5:06 am
                            I’m honestly not looking to do that but just want to know if I legally owe them severance incase of a genuine medical emergency.

                        • #3729 Reply
                          Proankit8173
                          Participant
                            P
                            Proankit8173
                            PARTICIPANT
                            May 2, 2025 at 6:26 pm
                            Ask them to send it on the email for written proof and then file a complaint in labour court

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