Employer Only Paid 10% of Salary Citing Informal WhatsApp Targets — What Are My Legal Options?

[Shekharfalcon835]

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Shekharfalcon835
PARTICIPANT
May 5, 2025 at 6:04 pm

Hi all,
I recently accepted a **remote full-time job** with a company based in **Dubai** (with a **Mumbai office** as well). I was given a formal **offer letter** stating a fixed monthly salary of ₹40,000, with no mention of performance-based pay or conditions tied to deliverables.

Before or alongside the offer, we discussed on WhatsApp the number of creatives expected each month. However, I was **never told** that salary would be **conditional** on hitting those numbers — nor was this included in the offer letter. I accepted the role in good faith and even left my previous job for it.

After two weeks of working (and after doing my best despite changing creative directions from the boss), I was suddenly told that he’s “not happy” with the work and that my **pay would now depend on performance**. I was paid **only 10%** of the agreed salary for the entire month.

I’d appreciate advice on:

* Can WhatsApp discussions override a signed offer letter?
* Can he retroactively declare the pay to be performance-based?
* Since the company has a Mumbai address on the offer letter, can I pursue this legally in India?
* Most importantly — **is it worth taking legal action**? Will it cost me more in time and money than the unpaid salary is worth? Is there any risk involved?

Thanks in advance for any guidance. I have all relevant documents and screenshots, if needed.

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[Luckybear8410]

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Luckybear8410
PARTICIPANT
May 5, 2025 at 6:23 pm

Leave. Clearly a shady place with shitty people

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[Mightysana5089]

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Mightysana5089
PARTICIPANT
May 5, 2025 at 6:58 pm

Lawyer here practicing in Mumbai. Your answers are as follows:
1. Agreements over Whatsapp is valid if you have accepted the part that you shall be okay if your pay is linked to performance.

2. Yes he can. As mentioned above, there should be acceptance from your side to the same.

3. Yes you can legally pursue this in Mumbai.

4. If its just a matter of one month salary then its really not worth paying lawyers because you will end up paying more than you receive and legal costs are given in small numbers by court.

My advise you would be to send a Legal Notice through a lawyer and stop at that. If the company feels pressured after receiving the Legal Notice they might pay up.

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[Alphavijay4738]

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Alphavijay4738
PARTICIPANT
May 6, 2025 at 3:47 am

Not a lawyer but if you send legal, notice in the first month of you joining the company won’t they just fire you to get rid of potential law suit

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[Shekharfalcon835]

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Shekharfalcon835
OP
May 6, 2025 at 8:56 am

he has already fired me. He fired me, said he will send the salary on the agreed upon date. And then i see the small amount credited.

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