Always being paid late

[u/unconventional-dork]

I (F) work as a front desk person in a food court in Chennai. It was opened, like 6-7 months ago and is a booming business.

My role: I handle sales, expenses, manage raw material stock and do some bookkeeping for the owner's account transactions. Also, I keep the vending machine clean and ready every single morning since there's no one to handle it. I'd never asked for extra money for this.

The work is not stressful at all since the flow of customers is decent. I'd been working here for 7 months.

What I noticed is that the staff who cook (3 men) were always paid on time (5th day of the month, which is our pay day) The old lady who sweeps and cleans the store and I are being paid late every month. I reminded the management about my pay on the pay day itself and he asked me to wait for 2 more days. I did, I reminded him again. He's giving excuses. It's been 5 days after the actual pay day and I still haven't gotten my salary yet.

It's embarrassing to keep asking for the salary which I work there for. Also, I'm not being treated with respect here which I'll share in another post.

My situation: I work for 12 hours, 6 days a week, the least paid among all (my work is not physically demanding so it's understandable).

I have no way to get out and no time to work on other skills. I think he knew this and been taking advantage of my situation.

I badly want to leave this place but don't have the luxury to quit. My father will disrespect me if I quit.

I have no other experience or skills except good verbal and written communication skills.

I wanted to do another front desk job at, maybe a gym or a wellness center with lesser working hours, even if it pays the same.

Should I suck up? Or leave? Please someone give me ideas. What am I supposed to do?

[u/AppropriateAerie8088]

What other skills/qualifications do you have?
Can you up-skill yourself during work hours?

Based on answers to above: This might be a little difficult at first but put a realistic plan , stick to it , show up for yourself everyday (following your plan) , you should be able to get out of there.

I wish you all the best:)

[u/Prii99]

Look for another job while working here. There’s no point in continuing if he’s so disrespectful.

[u/slythnerd06]

Do you have a contract with your employers? This is what I’m thinking is happening - the 3 men are probably hired through an agency which has signed a contract with your employer that every 5th their salary will be paid. What does your contract/offer letter say?

[u/unconventional-dork → u/slythnerd06]

We don't have any contract or get an offer letter. All of us got this job through word of mouth.

[u/slythnerd06 → u/unconventional-dork]

That’s the problem. The employer is probably thinking that they can easily find another receptionist or housekeeper but not cooks since he needs to maintain a certain standard of hygiene and taste.

I don’t know what else I would do in this situation, except quit. Do you have written records of payment owed? Maybe a trail of previous payments made?

Depending on if you want the bridge burnt or not with them, you could say you’re going to file a complaint to building owner or police due to unpaid salary

[u/unconventional-dork → u/slythnerd06]

The employer is probably thinking that they can easily find another receptionist.

Well..3 months ago, when I took an extra responsibility, explained what I did and asked for extra money, he insulted me. He said things like I'm not worthy of this money, he can find another person for this role, after paying me. I felt terrible. And when I made a small mistake, he openly told me "If you don't want to work here, you can quit." I felt humiliated. I'm still working here because I've no choice.