So I was supposed to start a new job today, found a band in the contract that says I have to pay them a penalty (about 5/6 months worth of the salary in that company) in case I leave before a year. This was really confusing to me because:
1) there are a number of reasons why someone can quit a job before a full year.
2) I am hoping to receive a scholarship and might leave before a year (still unsure).
I refused to sign the paper and it escalated till they decided to terminate me on spot. I just want to ask, is this penalty agreement a thing elsewhere? For example in Europe or America?