Can My Employer Sue Me, If It Looses Its Client On My Resignation?

Dear Sir/Madam,

This is Sanjay Singh.

My company is a private limited company registered in Chennai(Tamilnadu). They have 2 months notice period or payment in lieu.

I gave them 1 month notice and ready to give 1 month payment as per company policies.

I was working for their client for last 7 months. when i resigned in my company and the same I discussed with client also.My company didn't informed their client about my relieving and they have accepted my notice and was ready for 1 month payment and 1 month notice.

They informed their client before 7 days of my leaving date.The client was unhappy with this as they did the same before also. Even they assured the client that my replacement will join them soon but nothing had happened and I had been off.

Now they are not giving me my relieving letter and asking me for 3 months salary as they said that client will not give them payment. The client have broken all the relations with my company.

My company is sending me mails saying that they will take legal action against me as because of me they loose their client.

Please suggest me as I am in big trouble.Please

Thanks

Sanjay

Dear Sanjay,
You have written long post but missed few important points. These are as below:
a) When you submitted your resignation, how did you submit it? Did you give hard copy to HR and obtain their acknowledgement on the duplicate copy?
b) How did you route your letter of resignation? Did you route through your HOD?
c) Have you received letter from your company on "acceptance of resignation"?
You can sue your company for letting you down but then strength of your position depends on the replies to the above questions.
Thanks,
Dinesh V Divekar

Hello Sanjay Singh,
Further to what Dinesh mentioned, there seems to be some contradiction in the details given by you.
You say that "......and the same I discussed with client also........" and again mention that "They informed their client before 7 days of my leaving date".
Granted that your company didn't inform the client OFFICIALLY, but what was the client doing until the news came officially to them, when they knew that you were leaving & most likely the date of your getting relieved? Why didn't they take-up the issue with your company?
There seems to be more than meets the eye here.
Pl give ALL details, so that the members can give realistic & implementable suggestions.
All the Best.
Rgds,
TS

Dear Sanjay,
Mr. Dinesh & Mr. TS are absolutely right. Incase you have approached your client personally to inform them that you r signing off from your duties then it is not at all ethical.
Now coming to second point that your employer can sue you or not.
So you have resigned on either of two conditions :
1) You were de-satisfied with your current position or profile or reporting boss or working environment.
2) You have secured more favorable or stable position.
In both the cases you have right to decide what is best for your future so they can't sue you on this ground but if you were on high position where you had direct access to sensitive information related to your organization or their working strategies then they can go for legal action.
Again , in my opinion a good HR person is one who have "pair of hearing ears" who believes in discussing the matter rather than going for unnecessary notices and all.
Regards
Atul

Thanks All for the reply and I am sorry for not providing the entire details.
1. I gave the notice by mail as well as sent them a hard copy also ( by post).
2. they sent me 1 mail saying that they can not release me before 20th Sept. as I asked the to release me little early.
3. in mail they agreed on my leaving.
When I told the client , he asked my company for replacement but my company didn't take it seriously.(Client mentioned the same in his mail to company).
Please let me know if you required some more knowledge.
Again I am very sorry for not providing complete detail.

Hi Sanjay,

Based on the information that you have provided, it appears that the Client has cut-off relations with your Company because of loss of faith in your Company's ability to deliver services. Following can be the possible reason:

1. Your Company informed them very late about your resignation

2. Your Company failed to provide a replacement

If you have resigned as per the terms, conditions and process mentioned in your appointment letter / Company policy then the Company cannot hold you responsible for the loss of business.

I find it completely absurd to withhold a relieving letter by blaming an employee for loss of business.

If you are sure that you had absolutely no part in influencing the client to pull back the business then you should make request in writing to your Company to issue a relieving letter and if they don't act on it then collect all the communication that you have had with you Company regarding a) Your resignation, b) informing the client about your resignation, c) regarding your relieving, d) your requests for relieving letter and contact the labour officer.

Best Regards,

Ritesh Shah

Dear Sanjay
Since your departure is as per company policy so they cant sue you . further you can write mail keeping ur existing HR in confidence
Thanks
Shyamal

Your employment terms are with your Company and they are paying you the Salary. Your resignation has got nothing to do with your Client Company. Check your appointment conditions on the Notice period clause.
Pon