Salary Delayed for a Month: How Should I Handle This Situation with HR?

Hi all, I just need some help as I am a software engineer working on payroll for a Bangalore-based company, and my working location is Gurgaon. For the past few days, I have been facing a problem with my salary. I have been working here for 8 months, but for the last month, I have not received my salary. When I spoke to the HR manager, he mentioned that there was a technical issue causing the delay, but my colleagues have already been paid.

I am unsure of what to do in this situation as every time I contact them, they mention some technical issue. I do not believe there is an actual technical problem because if there were, why would my salary be on hold? This issue has caused various problems in my life as I am currently living in a rented house and facing personal issues as well.

I do not know what steps to take. Kindly suggest something for me to do?

Thanks & Regards,
Sandeep Pathak

No employer can withhold the salary of their employees. If an employer withholds an employee's salary, it becomes a breach of the law. Please send written communication to your HR from both your personal and official email IDs. If you do not receive a positive reply, then send the same communication by registered post. If they are unwilling to pay or do not respond positively, please seek assistance from a legal expert and send them a legal notice.

After taking these steps, you can file a civil suit in a court of law.

Thank you.
Regards.

Dear Suhas Khambe, Thank you for providing this information. I will wait until the end of today; otherwise, I will send a formal notice by mail. If they do not provide me with the necessary information, I will file a complaint against them.

Thanks & Regards,
Sandeep Pathak

Please find the root cause before taking any action. If possible, once again have a word with your HR Manager. If it doesn’t work, then drop a mail to his reporting officer. (---No employer harasses his employee without any intention---)

Regards,
Janardan

Hi Janardan, they are in Bangalore, and they did not give me the proper email ID of their senior manager. I have called the concerned person again and again, but each time he told me that there is some technical issue. Every month, my salary gets credited on the 5th, but this month I am still waiting for the same. My family depends on me; my wife is in the hospital, and I am living in a rented house.

You understand these things.

Thanks & Regards,
Sandeep Pathak

Suggestion for Salary Advance

Tell them to release an advance equivalent to your salary until the technical glitch is sorted out. Once the technical glitch is resolved, they can adjust the advance against your salary.

First of all, find out the exact problem from the HR side. Is there any serious technical issue, or have they received an order from a senior person to hold your salary? Have you made any mistakes for which they are holding your salary?

Talk to the HR manager once again, and if he does not respond properly, then email him with cc to the CEO/VP/MD of your group. It is possible that the senior levels of your group are not aware of this issue. When sending the email, use polite language so that you will not be at fault.

If you do not receive a proper response from the higher-ups, submit your complaint to the labor office with complete details. I am sure you will get your salary.

As Arpan mentioned, try to get a salary advance and adjust it against your salary until the technical problem is sorted out, as no company would prefer to hold the salary of their employees without any reason.

Also, ask if there was no technical problem for the last 7-8 months, then what went amiss/wrong this month. Try to resolve amicably across the table.