Work for a small consultancy firm with “offices” in India and NYC. Employed in India, whereas boss lives in the US (is an Indian citizen).
Was hired with high hopes and dreams, and a fat pay package for an entry level position. Of the 10 employees, not one has more than 2 years of history with the firm – people keep quitting, but it’s kept under the wraps before you join.
M&A slowdown happened in Jan. Boss/founding partner stopped paying us ever since. Been expected to churn out work as usual (research, minor projects) and met with humiliation and threats of spoiling my career if I don’t respond within minutes.
It’s been 6 months since my (or most other people’s) dues were cleared. Since it’s a small firm, there’s no distinction between firm’s and boss’s money – absolutely no runway at all.
He strategically hired people from well-to-do backgrounds. Most are troubled but not desperate for money. No real rebellion other than quite quitting. Two people actually quit while unpaid and have been ghosted ever since.
It’s hard out there in the job market. I’d rather have this than a gap on my resumé. What are my recourses under Indian law, which also don’t burden me with legal fees and too much investment of time? I feel I’ll never be paid back.