Toxic Workplace, Forced to Stay After Resignation – What Are My Rights?

[Shreemaster93]

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Shreemaster93
PARTICIPANT
April 21, 2025 at 4:58 pm

Hi Reddit,
I work as a Placement Officer in one of the top international schools in a metro city in India. On paper, it looks like a dream job. But behind closed doors, I’ve been dealing with continuous harassment and toxic politics from my manager and a female colleague—both of whom have ganged up against me.

What complicates things further is that they’re allegedly in an extramarital affair. While I have no hard evidence to prove this, I’m aware of it, and I believe this dynamic has fueled the hostility towards me. They constantly undermine me, isolate me, and have even tried to sabotage my opportunities at work.

Despite all this, I maintained my professionalism. But eventually, it took a toll on me mentally and emotionally. I finally mustered the courage to resign and had a detailed conversation with the school principal, explaining everything I’ve been subjected to—including the manipulation, lack of support, and mental stress.

Now here’s the twist: she asked me why I did not come to her earlier, and I clearly mentioned how my Manager had threatened me not to go to her before, and had also told me how she accepts expensive gifts from the manager, Thus proving that their extremely pally with each other. Principal did accept gifts, and it probably hurt her ego real bad when I mentioned it. ( I was extremely polite and non confrontational)
Now, after hearing me out, instead of accepting my resignation, the principal sent me an official email declining it, attaching a clause from the appointment letter.

I’m feeling cornered.
• I am 100% sure I do not want to continue here.
• I am not looking to abscond—I’m trying to do this the right way.
• I want to understand how enforceable such a clause really is under Indian employment law.
• Can an employer legally refuse to accept a resignation?
• What are my options now?

I’ve invested time, effort, and dignity into my work. I just want to move on with peace and integrity. If anyone here has been through something similar or has insight into HR or employment law (especially in the Indian context), I would be really grateful for your advice.

Here are the Clauses:

6.1. Voluntary Separation

6.1.1. Employees on probation shall have no right to terminate this agreement during the probation period. However, the School management could terminate their services without notice and any reason warranting a termination. One-month notice period equivalent of basic pay will be paid in such condition of termination. Teachers resigning before the completion of the agreed years of employment as prescribed in their offer and/or appointment letter have to pay three month gross salary towards organizational liabilities, if and only if their resignation has been accepted.

6.1.2. Teachers are not expected to resign mid-way through the academic session. As it puts a strain on the management as well as students to take care of the rest of the session as well as maintain the same level of quality. Three-month gross salary to be paid by the teacher for all mid-session resignation by the teacher, irrespective of notice served / tenures served with the School. To be mentioned in the offer letter with clarity for all offers.

6.1.3. In addition to 6.1.1. & 6.1.2. details above, teachers who resign before completion of agreed contract and or during middle of the academic session / mid-session, including seeking exit during period of vacation or when leaving within 4 weeks of joining after completion of vacation, in spite of providing the required notice will have to forgo the following:

(i) Relieving letter will not be provided. (Full and Final settlement statement only will be provided)

(ii) Experience letter – (will not be provided for Mid Session / Start of academic session resignations)

(Experience Letter is not to be issued by anyone other than the CEO/Principal, irrespective of the department. Reference Letter/ Experience Letter will not be given for mid-session resignation.)

(iii) Conduct letter / Letter of recommendation will be issued by Principal/Director HR basis approval from CEO for Mid-session resigned employees.

Thanks in advance.

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[Silentrajnish997]

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Silentrajnish997
PARTICIPANT
April 21, 2025 at 8:35 pm

That’s a one way agreement. Just send a email or a letter stating you are resigning effective a certain date and don’t bother going.

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