How Can I Get My Withheld Pay After Resigning from a Start-Up with a Toxic Culture?

Hi, I was employed at a start-up company and was not comfortable with their work culture. After a month, I submitted my resignation. They sent me a termination letter after my resignation, stating that they were aware I was looking for another job and that I did not do justice to them by resigning. Although I was willing to serve one month's notice as indicated in my resignation letter, the CEO instructed me to hand over all my belongings and leave immediately.

Additionally, my pay for the 15 days that I worked has been withheld, and they refuse to release my payment.

Please advise on what steps I can take. My main concern is to have my withheld payment released.

Hi, this is very much against labor laws. Write a request letter to your employer referring to your resignation letter and your willingness to serve the proper notice period. They might have been irritated by your resignation within a short period from your date of joining (DOJ). However, resignation is the choice of employees, and they cannot terminate it without valid reasons. Send the letter through Registered Post Acknowledgement Due (RPAD), and if there is no response, you can file a case with the Labor Inspector in your jurisdiction requesting their intervention.