Navigating Benefits After My Husband's Passing: Can I Approach HR for Help?

Hello, my name is Veda. I got married in January 2024, and my husband passed away on December 28th. He was in an accident, and our marriage details are not updated in his portal. I informed one of his teammates, and he then informed HR. However, HR contacted his mother as she is the nominee. I am wondering if I am eligible for any benefits from the office. Can I inquire by emailing HR? What would be the next steps in this process?

It is very unfortunate. You may send a request to the office attaching the marriage certificate. Let the company stop paying the gratuity amount to the mother whose name appears in the records. The HR cannot take a stand that the employee did not update his profile. If the marriage was known to the HR, he should have proactively made the changes in the family details. The HR is meant for handling such matters as well. You may also send a communication to the EPFO claiming to be the legal heir of the deceased.

It seems like he works at Wipro. Whom should I email? I don't know the specific HR email address, and I also don't have any contact information for his teammates. Who should I contact regarding this?

You should meet the HR Manager (whoever is heading the Human Resource team) personally and discuss the matter. If the marriage was officially communicated, HR should have initiated the collection of a fresh nomination (Form F) for Gratuity and also advised the employee to make the necessary changes in the EPF portal. Therefore, let them take it forward.

I understand, but the issue is that I don't know any HR manager or anyone from the HR office at Wipro. I don't have any leads, and I cannot visit the office in person right now. Whom should I email, or how can I get in touch with someone from the company?

Why you should meet the officials at Wipro

Why do you hesitate to go and meet the officials at Wipro? Why should Wipro not allow a person from outside? It is a misconception that Wipro, and companies like it, will not allow anyone to enter for any discussion. After all, you are not going to create hurdles to their duties; you are going there because you have the right to inquire about the employee who was in their service. Moreover, the said employee was your spouse. I would say that they should have come to you and discussed the matter much earlier. Now, when you go there, you should also appraise them of the same.

You should meet the DLO/ALC/DLC of your area or the area of Wipro to raise your complaints. The HR department is not the authority to decide the legal heir. The DLO/ALC/DLC will contact HR. You can send a copy marked to Wipro. It is advisable to proceed through a lawyer.

Dear Veda,

Greetings. Our deepest condolences for your personal loss. We appreciate your confidence and bravery in holding yourself together after your husband's death.

1. Where are you from?
2. Which branch of Wipro and which team was your husband working in?
3. Do you have your marriage registration certificate?
4. Marriage photos?
5. ID card of your husband? (WIPRO)

If your answer is yes for questions 3 to 5 and if you can provide answers for 1 and 2, we can connect you with the Labor officer of your particular region. They will get in touch with the company and complete the formalities so that you can be recognized as the legal heir for all his credits, insurance, and claims.

For any further queries, please feel free to write.

Sorry for your great loss and tragedy. Have courage, don't worry. To the extent possible, all members here will help you. If you have the address of your husband's office, please let us know. We'll try to obtain contact IDs of HR and other concerned officials in WIPRO. It is already delayed, act fast please.

Ma'am, these are the details extracted from their websites:

Registered office:

Wipro Limited
Doddakannelli, Sarjapur Road
Bengaluru - 560 035, India
Ph: [Phone Number Removed For Privacy-Reasons], [Phone Number Removed For Privacy-Reasons], [Phone Number Removed For Privacy-Reasons]
Fax: +91 (80) 28440254
https://www.wipro.com/locations/#India. You can use the 'contact us' boxes for filing your claims online as well.

Wipro Limited, Manikonda Development Center (MKD):

203/1, Manikonda Village, Gatchibowli SEZ
Hyderabad - 500032
Tel: [Phone Number Removed For Privacy-Reasons]

Wipro Limited, Nanakramguda Main Road:

Wipro Campus, Gachibowli, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500032.

You can submit filled-in forms for claiming unpaid salary, encashment of leave, EPF, Gratuity, etc. Also, you may find out details of any LIC, pension contributions he was maintaining, and if you can retrieve copies from his files based on which you may file claims.