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Getting reimbursements in India
Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 12:47 pm
by deshiNo1
I am in a sticky situation right now at office. I joined my present employer a few months back at a very short notice to my previous employer. The previous employer deducted pay equivalent to the notice period and I also lost on all the leave accrued. My current employer at the time had promised to make up for all that lost money after I join. Its been quite sometime now (almost 4 months) but there are no signs that they will pay. Most companies in India reimburse within the first or second month. Everytime I bring this up, I am told that it has to be sanctioned by higher-ups and that they will discuss it soon. Not sure what to do. I have reminded them at least 4-5 times in the past month or so. This is really affecting my work because I feel cheated and do not want to lose the money. What are my options and how do I make them pay? Any ideas on what approach I need to take? TIA
Getting reimbursements in India
Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 11:31 pm
by KRV
If the lost pay is clearly specified in the offer letter, then you have a solid case to proceed forward. I would document the details of each reminder you sent them, to who, when, any respones etc.
If you don't have it specified in your offer letter, you are out of luck. The words of most Indian companies are as good as writing on water. They'll say anything to get you to join them. Anyway, this is an opportunity for you to ponder if you want to build a career in a company that could not keep its word to you from day one.
Getting reimbursements in India
Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 2:38 pm
by deshiNo1
KRV, thanks for your suggestions. The offer letter does not mention anything about reimbursing. However I have an email communication that says that I will be given the amount. Not sure how much credibility email communications have in such cases.
This is my second experience after R2I. Immediately after R2I, I had joined a company based on promises made verbally which were never implemented. I had enough of their lies and so quit it when this opportunity came along. This being a new div of an MNC, I thought will have more straightforward policies. I again believed what they said and joined and am going thru it the second time. Sometimes I feel like quitting the comany and forgetting the money, but I am not sure that's the solution. I feel like fighting it out and getting my money this time.
Any other forum members who have dealt with such things in India?
Getting reimbursements in India
Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 10:45 pm
by cool_r2i
deshiNo1;7071KRV, thanks for your suggestions. The offer letter does not mention anything about reimbursing. However I have an email communication that says that I will be given the amount. Not sure how much credibility email communications have in such cases.
This is my second experience after R2I. Immediately after R2I, I had joined a company based on promises made verbally which were never implemented. I had enough of their lies and so quit it when this opportunity came along. This being a new div of an MNC, I thought will have more straightforward policies. I again believed what they said and joined and am going thru it the second time. Sometimes I feel like quitting the comany and forgetting the money, but I am not sure that's the solution. I feel like fighting it out and getting my money this time.
Any other forum members who have dealt with such things in India?[/quote]
You should talk to the person directly. Most of the time, if you talk to the person who promised you directly and ask him/her if you should talk to anybody else (maybe his/her boss...not mentioning that explicitly) on this, you can win.
Then, they generally take this up more seriously and at least make an attempt to get what you were promised.
Just my 2 cents (should I say 2 paisa?) :)
Getting reimbursements in India
Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2007 10:38 am
by nand
OP, welcome to India. Being unethical, deceitful and corrupt runs down the spine of our great nation. Every aspect of our lives is touched by this so why should a corporate be any different. All I can say is dont feel despondent. If I were you, I will give them an ultimatum, fight for the money, make myself a nuisance, be beliigerent and nasty to my boss and start looking for another job. Of course the plan would be to get that money and quit soon after.
It is really a dogs world out there, gotta be a big nasty dog out there...
Getting reimbursements in India
Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2007 10:51 am
by deshiNo1
cool_r2i,
I have been speaking directly to the person who had promised. He keeps on saying that he needs permission from the higher-ups. We had already agreed upon this before joining, so I dont understand what other permissions he needs.
nand,
Its a shame that we cant implement good business practices that are based on sound ethics and commitment. I am sick of this. To top it all, this is a start-up Indian arm of a huge MNC. This experience has taught me that nobody is more adept at taking a good thing and screwing it up beyond recognition. Some desis ( not all) who have not seen or experienced the outside world are masters at it.
Getting reimbursements in India
Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2007 11:28 pm
by cool_r2i
deshiNo1;8600cool_r2i,
I have been speaking directly to the person who had promised. He keeps on saying that he needs permission from the higher-ups. We had already agreed upon this before joining, so I dont understand what other permissions he needs.
[/quote]
I told you a small trick in my previous post. Sorry, if it is not practical in your situation, but it has worked for me sometimes.
Getting reimbursements in India
Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 1:07 pm
by deshiNo1
cool_r2i,
I have already asked for his advice on talking to his boss or others regarding this. He always discourages me talking to higher-ups and insists that he will take it up with them and have it done. But, like I siad some people in India are shameless a***oles. I am almost on the verge of quitting this job if it does not happen in a few days time. Enough of this deceit and lies. I am just waiting for some of my interviews to crystallise into an offer.
Getting reimbursements in India
Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 9:00 pm
by cool_r2i
deshiNo1,
I can understand your frustration. Sorry about your situation. I was in similar situations many times while working in India. But, the work load was so much that I used to postpone many of my personal things and forget. Now, when I look back, I feel I did not do the right thing. I just gave it up ...just like that. Sometimes, I got what I wanted by threatening them with some small trikcs and it worked.
Not to generalize, but these are some of the things you need to go through in India. A large percentage of people are unethical. Don't be surprised if you find a similar person in your next company also, if and when you quit.
All the best!