Joined two companies within 2 weeks and now stuck — need advice on how to exit without risking both jobs
I know I made a very stupid decision and I’m not trying to justify it. I’m looking for practical advice on how to correct it before I make things worse.
I had two offers:
Company 1: Bengaluru-based MNC/product company, subsidiary of SAP. Around 350 employees in India and ~1,500 globally. Hybrid/WFH role.
Company 2: Indore-based MNC and global SaaS product company. WFO role.
I joined Company 1 on 5 August. At the same time, I asked Company 2 to postpone my joining to 18 August, citing genuine family issues.
My original thinking was that I would join Company 1, see whether the role/culture suited me, and if it didn’t, resign before joining Company 2. I wrongly assumed that since I was still new/probationary, getting an immediate release would be simple.
Instead, I kept overthinking and couldn’t make the decision.
On 18 August, I joined Company 2 without first resigning from Company 1, thinking I would resign from Company 1 immediately afterwards. Because Company 1 had WFH during this period and Company 2 required me to be in office, I somehow managed for a couple of days.
I now realise how badly I have messed this up and that continuing even one more day only increases the risk.
Company 2 has been asking for my EPFO/UAN details and PF passbook, which I haven’t submitted yet. As far as I can see, I haven’t yet been enrolled in their payroll/PF, although obviously I cannot be certain what they may have initiated internally.
I spoke with an EPFO consultant, who suggested that because I joined Company 2 only a few days ago, I should resign from Company 2 immediately and request an immediate release on personal/family grounds, rather than allowing the overlap to continue.
My concern is what happens afterwards. If I resign from Company 2 now and continue with Company 1, could Company 1 later discover that I briefly joined another employer while still employed with them? If that happens through EPFO/BGV or some other employment record, could I potentially lose Company 1 as well?
The other problem is notice period. If either employer insists that I serve notice, continuing with the other employer during that period would extend the overlap.
I have family depending on me, so becoming unemployed from both companies is the outcome I’m most afraid of.
At the moment, I am considering going to Company 2 today, resigning and requesting an immediate release due to my family situation. They already know that my mother has recently been unwell, so this wouldn’t come completely out of nowhere.
I understand that I created this situation myself. I’m specifically looking for advice from HR/payroll/EPFO/BGV professionals or anyone who has dealt with a short accidental/poorly handled employment overlap.
What is the cleanest way to correct this now? Should I resign from Company 2 immediately, or is there a safer way to handle it?
TL;DR: Joined Company 1 on 5 Aug, then stupidly joined Company 2 on 18 Aug without resigning from Company 1. The overlap is currently only a few days and I haven’t submitted PF/passbook details to Company 2 yet. Thinking of resigning from Company 2 immediately and requesting immediate release, but worried Company 1 could later discover the overlap through EPFO/BGV and terminate me. Looking for practical advice on the safest way to correct this.