Company Holding My Final Settlement Hostage Over a SIM Card — What Should I Do?

[User_5a360654]

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User_5a360654
PARTICIPANT
February 6, 2025 at 4:49 am

So, I recently worked remotely as an intern for a small startup for less than two months. As part of the role, they provided me with a SIM card through a porting code. Now that my traineeship is over, and another porting code cannot be generated again until 90 days after the previous one was generated, they’re asking me to courier the SIM to another employee—at my own expense.

The issue? They haven’t processed my final settlement, given me my pay slips, or provided my experience letter. They’ve made it clear that they’ll only send those after I courier the SIM. Given that they’re a small startup, I don’t fully trust them to follow through once I send it.

Since a new porting code can’t be generated within 90 days, I feel like I have some leverage. Should I:

1. **Withhold the SIM** until they provide everything in writing?
2. **Get a signed letter from the founder** confirming that they’ll fulfill their obligations once I send the SIM?
3. **Just send it and hope for the best?**

I’m new to handling situations like this, so any advice would be appreciated. Has anyone dealt with something similar? What’s the best way to ensure I don’t get screwed over?

Thanks in advance!

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[Silentsuhani990]

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Silentsuhani990
PARTICIPANT
February 6, 2025 at 11:50 am

And what leverage do you have by holding onto the Sim? A sim and new number is 150 bucks, they will get a new Sim.
Tell them you will send it to the company’s registered address via registered post (so you have proof of delivery), and then they can send it to whoever they want to.

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[User_5a360654]

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User_5a360654
OP
February 6, 2025 at 11:52 am

I understand that, I just wanna know how can I avoid the situation where they still don’t release the payslips, letter and salary, after I courier the SIM.

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[Silentsuhani990]

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Silentsuhani990
PARTICIPANT
February 6, 2025 at 11:54 am

Unfortunately, you can’t

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[Fierceanirudh9723]

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Fierceanirudh9723
PARTICIPANT
February 6, 2025 at 12:04 pm

If the company owns the SIM, they can simply block and get a new SIM (mostly free of cost) for the same number. I don’t know what leverage you are talking about. You have no leverage. You will have no leverage even after you get your documents. Whenever you submit these documents in new company, they will ref check these with the startup. Best to part ways in amicable manner. Return the SIM. Don’t play stupid games.

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