Facing Delayed Salaries and Long Hours at a Startup: What Can I Do Next?

I've accepted an offer just through email confirmation. Since it is a startup, there is no HR department, only the employer and one of his associate employees. I joined them in a senior position. Everything went well until I received the papers.

Currently, they are delaying salaries. I have sent several emails, but they have not addressed my two performance bonuses, which are part of my salary. I do not want to take any action at this moment, but I would like to know what steps I can take if they refuse to pay this money when I leave the company.

Furthermore, they are requesting 11 hours of work per day, totaling 60 hours per week, which I believe is illegal. While I understand the need to work when there is work, it seems unreasonable to have to stay even when there is no work. Additionally, there is no leave policy in place; for instance, we are expected to work even on holidays such as August 15.

Thank you.

Your situation is like when the ticket checker comes and asks for a ticket. You are saying, "Nobody asked me to purchase a ticket to travel on the bus, so I did not buy one."

Steps to Consider

The first and foremost thing you can do is to leave that organization as soon as possible. Regarding your dues, you can discuss them calmly and try to settle the issues amicably. If they are not willing to resolve the issues, and you feel like you are paying the price for your ignorance or foolishness.

Regards,

"Till I kept the papers"

What papers did you keep? As I understand it, there is no joining letter, description of post/job, salary, etc. Were these points discussed when or before you joined?

How can you say you are entitled to performance bonuses? Are they part of your salary package? I am asking this because nothing was formalized as per what I can understand.

In a senior position when you join, working hours cannot be made, like, say, 48 hours. You need to work as per requirements even beyond normal working hours and holidays, etc.

You should seek an appointment with your employer and discuss non-payment of salary over the last several months and other work-related issues, but working hours are a kind of grey area as you cannot claim workman hours. In a startup, these problems do take place. One must try and figure out if they are genuine problems or a technique by the employer to get work without payment.

Depending on the situation, tackle the issue straight with the employer and with a great deal of maturity and tact.