How Can I Recover My Unpaid Salary and Held Certificates After Resignation?

immanuyelu-jodula
Employment Bond and Initial Agreement

I am an employee for a company. Upon joining in February 2015, I signed a bond paper agreeing to serve a minimum of one year. Additionally, my SSC original certificate was taken at the time of joining. I was initially deputed to a client location.

Resignation and Continued Employment

After one year, I sent my resignation notice period through email due to issues with my increment. However, negotiations led me to continue my duties until 2017. Following the end of the contract period with the client, I inquired about my position within the current company through emails. Unfortunately, there was no response. Subsequently, I moved to my current company, taking the service experience and my SSC certificate. At that time, I was asked to serve a two-month notice period, but due to ongoing problems with my increments, I resubmitted my resignation in hard copy.

Work Pressure and Resignation

After two months, I was persuaded to stay with the promise of a better increment. During this period, I was pressured to work extra hours without proper documentation for developments. Despite pointing out that certain tasks were outside our programming language scope, I was still pushed to complete them. Due to increased stress and health issues from working extra hours, I submitted my resignation with the required notice period.

Lack of Acknowledgment and Pending Increment

Although my resignation was accepted, there was no acknowledgment provided. Additionally, my increment has been pending for the last three months. Multiple reminders via email have gone unanswered. When I requested acknowledgment in person, I was burdened with additional tasks before being relieved. I communicated the need for acknowledgment and clearance of pending increments to continue my duties, but as no action was taken, I decided to quit on that day.

Unpaid Salary and Held Certificates

Furthermore, my last month's salary was not paid, and my SSC certificate is being held. Two weeks later, there is a plan to send a legal notice. Moreover, my previous employers' original education certificates are also being held by the company.

Seeking Advice

I am seeking advice on how to recover my salary, SSC certificate, and service notice period. Your suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Aks17
Illegal Holding of Certificates by Employers

Holding of certificates by the employer is illegal. Try to discuss the matter face-to-face without any biased opinions to resolve the issue. They cannot issue you any legal notice, though it is a common threat that employers in the private sector often use. If discussions fail, you may send the employer a legal notice and also approach the Labour Commissioner regarding both issues: salary and the holding of your academic certificate. However, the best way forward would be to settle the matter amicably, as you do not want more stress in your life and also need a relieving letter and an experience letter. Even if the other party seems agitated, look at the larger picture and stay cool and composed while dealing with situations like this for your own good. You have nothing to lose if you stay calm and get things done, which will help you become a better person with lessons learned.

Good luck.

Thanks and Regards
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