Struggling with Unpaid Salary and Missing Documents After Resignation – How Can I Resolve This?

Dear Sir, I was working as an Administration Manager in one of the listed companies until December 2018 for a year. I left because the company had been experiencing losses for a few years and had no production output due to an internal financial crisis.

My first month's salary was paid in the 3rd month and gradually increased in the 4th and 5th months. My social life was getting disturbed, but I patiently carried on. I resigned, served the notice period, provided a proper handover, and completed relieving formalities as per company policies. My last relieving date was January 5, 2019. However, I have not received my experience letter or relieving letter.

I received two months of outstanding salary by April 2019, and I am still following up with my seniors for my December 2018 outstanding salary and full and final settlement to date. I have written several emails, made phone calls, and sent WhatsApp messages to my seniors and my director. However, they are not responding; they are reading all my messages but not responding.

Please guide me, as during my service period, I had borrowed money from lenders to sustain my social life and am still paying interest as I was not receiving my salary on time. I would be highly grateful for your direction.

Thank you, [Your Name]

It is unacceptable for your former employer to withhold your salary and delay providing essential documents like experience and relieving letters. Here are steps you can take to address this issue effectively:

Contact HR and Legal Support
- Reach out to the HR department of your previous company via email or phone to formally request your outstanding salary and pending documents.
- If there is no response from HR, consider seeking legal advice to understand your rights and options under labor laws.

Send a Formal Demand Letter
- Draft a formal demand letter addressed to the company's management, detailing the unpaid salary, pending documents, and the consequences of non-compliance.
- Send the letter via registered post to ensure it is officially documented.

File a Complaint
- If all attempts to resolve the issue directly fail, consider filing a complaint with the labor department or relevant employment authority in your jurisdiction.
- Provide all necessary evidence, including communication records and employment documents.

Seek Mediation or Arbitration
- Explore the possibility of mediation or arbitration to settle the dispute outside of court.
- These methods can often lead to a quicker resolution without the need for lengthy legal proceedings.

Document Everything
- Keep a record of all communication attempts, including emails, messages, and phone calls, as well as any responses or lack thereof.
- Maintain copies of your employment contract, resignation letter, and any other relevant documents.

Stay Persistent and Patient
- While pursuing your unpaid dues, remain persistent but professional in your communications.
- Understand that legal processes can take time, but continue to follow up regularly.

Take Care of Your Finances
- In the meantime, prioritize managing your finances to avoid further financial strain.
- Consider seeking financial advice or assistance if the delay in receiving your salary is causing significant hardship.

By following these steps and seeking appropriate support, you can work towards resolving the issue of unpaid salary and obtaining the necessary documents from your former employer.