Notice period nightmare every techie fears: Boss promised 30-day release. After resignation, says serve 90 days

Just when he thought he had cleared the final boss level of job hunting, a fresh obstacle appeared. After cracking two competitive offers and planning a smooth exit, a professional found himself trapped in a notice period standoff that now threatens to undo months of effort. What was meant to be a clean 30-day transition has stretched into an uncertain waiting game, leaving him anxious, demotivated, and at risk of losing the very opportunities he worked hard to secure.

Resignation

According to a Reddit post, the employee shared that he had recently secured two strong offers, both requiring him to join within 30 days. Confident about the timeline, he resigned from his current organisation, where the formal notice period stands at 90 days. He claimed that his employer had verbally agreed to an early release within a month, giving him the reassurance he needed to move forward.

However, things shifted after he formally submitted his resignation. The company, he wrote, revised its position and insisted on a minimum 60-day notice period instead. This was despite the fact that he had already completed all deliverables and had no ongoing project dependencies tying him to the team.

No work, yet no early exit

The employee alleged that the only reason for the delay was financial. He suggested that the firm wanted to continue billing the client for his role, even if there was no meaningful work left for him to handle. As a result, he now finds himself performing tasks he considers insignificant, while the clock ticks on his new offers.

He also mentioned that he has been transparent with the prospective employers, keeping them updated about the delay. But their patience appears to be thinning. They have indicated that further delays may require internal discussions with their hiring teams, raising his fear that the offers could be withdrawn altogether.

The post struck a chord with many users, especially professionals in India who are familiar with extended notice periods and last-minute reversals. Several commenters discussed how verbal assurances often hold little weight without written confirmation, while others shared advice on negotiating buyouts or escalating the matter through formal HR channels. For this employee, the issue is no longer just about timelines. It is about watching a hard-earned career move hang in the balance, caught between contractual obligations and corporate priorities.

Netizens react

Netizens shared a mix of advice and personal experiences in response to the notice period dilemma. Some suggested framing resignation around personal reasons, such as health issues or family responsibilities, to avoid being pressed into completing a full two- or three-month notice period. Others advised patience and keeping the new employers updated about the situation. Several users recommended continuing to interview while being transparent about the 60-day notice. Many also pointed out that notice periods are legally binding as per the original offer letter and emphasized approaching HR calmly to ensure a smooth exit.