An employee has accused their employer of withholding a week's pay after resigning over a “toxic” environment. The individual had joined the company as a marketing executive, with an annual remuneration of Rs 5.04 lakh.
The individual took to Reddit and shared details in a post titled, “Company refused to pay because I resigned within a week due to toxic behaviour.” The employee sought recommendations on how to handle the situation.
company refused to pay because I resigned within a week due to toxic behavior
by u/notdavinciforsure in IndianWorkplace
The employee painted a picture of a tightly-controlled office, claiming the firm enforced a six-day schedule with fixed nine-hour shifts and round-the-clock surveillance through desk-mounted cameras.
“Extreme micromanagement from the founder (even basic content needed approvals). Most employees were straight out of college (so they don't realise they are being exploited),” the post read.
The situation escalated shortly afterwards when the employee left the office ten minutes early due to a migraine. The post alleged that the manager, working remotely, called the employee and reprimanded them for leaving without prior approval, stressing that the full nine-hour shift had to be completed each day.
The employee claimed they were warned that non-compliance would make matters “hell”.
“My manager (who works remotely btw) called me and repeatedly shouted + questioned my ‘behaviour', saying I need to ask for permission before leaving every single day and must strictly complete 9 hours. She goes on to tell me this behaviour would not suffice and that if I didn't ask for her permission every day, she would personally make it hell for me.”
“I am sure I was going to be treated like a slave and decided to leave early and not pay with my mental health later,” the post added.
The employee ultimately chose to resign. However, the company subsequently declined to pay for the week the employee had worked, suggesting instead that the employee should be grateful no claims were being pursued against them.
“This comp is now refusing to pay me for the week I worked, and is saying I should be ‘thankful they're not claiming anything from my side.'”
Images of WhatsApp chats shared by the employee show the company invoked its rules to refuse payment. In response to queries, HR allegedly stated that a 15-day notice was “mandatory”, even during the probation period, and emphasised that no claims were being made against the employee despite a month-long wait for their onboarding.
In response, the employee criticised what they described as disrespectful conduct, saying the decision to leave was based on working conditions rather than anything personal.
“Hiring employees is not the same as owning them,” the employee wrote, and warned about making the issue public.
The post generated several reactions.
“They will not pay, don't waste time bro. Sadly, they will spend on a lawyer but will not pay. Don't even go legal with them. They are lalas,” one person wrote.
“It's not worth it. Just move on. Out of sight, out of mind. Focus on the next chapter,” another user said.
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