In Brief
A woman employed as a Confidential Secretary with HSBC Bank India for over 20 years was terminated when her position became redundant. The bank offered four alternative positions at the same pay and salary but she refused all offers. She then claimed a substantial severance package and other benefits before labour tribunals. The Supreme Court held that by refusing reasonable alternative employment opportunities, she voluntarily abandoned her job. As her position changed, statutory protections under the Industrial Disputes Act no longer applied. Having already received nearly double her claimed amount during litigation, the Court dismissed her appeals and treated all prior payments as final settlement of her claims.
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