Mallika Maini, Ex-L’Oreal and Ex-Zoman professional, accuses Benefittz founder Harrshit Bhatia of withholding salary and workplace bullying. Read full complaint details on Choice4Voice.com
Note: If this issue is resolved, the concerned brand or the complainant may contact us at support@choice4voice.com. After proper verification, we will either update this article as “Resolved” or delete it, ensuring fairness to both parties.
Complaint Summary : Benefittz Complaint by Mallika Maini | Salary Withheld & Workplace Harassment Case
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Customer/Complainant | Mallika Maini (Verified LinkedIn) |
| Email/LinkedIn | Verified on LinkedIn |
| Complaint Type | Salary Withholding / Workplace Harassment |
| Company/Brand | Benefittz |
| Individuals Named | Harrshit Bhatia (Founder), Mudit Chaudhry (Head of Ops) |
| Product/Service | Employment Contract / Salary Dispute |
| Issue Description | Two months’ salary withheld; bullying and pressure to share contacts in exchange for dues. |
| Complaint Date | August 2025 |
| LinkedIn Source | Original LinkedIn Post |
Detailed Complaint
Mallika Maini, a professional with prior experience at Zoman and L’Oréal, joined Benefittz as a Founding Member. According to her statement on LinkedIn, she invested her time, energy, and professional expertise into building the application but was met with unfair practices and harassment instead of recognition.
She alleges that Benefittz, under the leadership of founder Harrshit Bhatia, withheld her salary for approximately two months.
Worse, she claims she is being bullied and pressured to hand over all her professional contacts in exchange for the release of her salary. This kind of demand, if true, raises serious concerns about ethical and legal violations in the workplace.
She further explains that:
- Since 12th August, Harrshit Bhatia has not responded to her calls.
- She was allegedly called to the office under false pretenses—told the issue would be resolved, only to be pressured into giving a formal resignation letter in exchange for false promises of salary payment by 20th August.
- Even after resignation, her salary dues remain unpaid, and she continues to be denied a clear intermediary or HR channel for updates.
- She directly calls out Harrshit Bhatia and asks whether she should be forced to post screenshots of her repeated pleas for salary to prove her case.
- She also questions Mudit Chaudhry (Head of Operations) about his silence on the matter despite holding a key leadership role.
This paints a troubling picture of salary withholding, intimidation, and lack of accountability at Benefittz.
Key Issues Highlighted
- Unpaid Salary: Mallika’s salary has been withheld for more than two months despite multiple follow-ups.
- Workplace Bullying: Pressure to hand over personal/professional contacts in exchange for rightful dues.
- False Promises: Commitment made to release salary by August 20th was not honored.
- Lack of Communication: Founder Harrshit Bhatia stopped answering calls; no HR or intermediary available for updates.
- Leadership Silence: Head of Ops, Mudit Chaudhry, has remained uninvolved despite the seriousness of the complaint.
- Ethical Concerns: Forcing employees to resign without settling dues indicates possible violation of labor rights.
Why This Complaint Matters
The case reflects larger workplace exploitation and unethical practices that many professionals in India face:
- Salary Withholding: According to Indian labor laws, employers are legally bound to release employee salaries within the stipulated time frame.
- Power Dynamics & Harassment: Withholding dues to coerce employees into personal favors or compliance amounts to workplace harassment.
- Reputation Risks for Startups: For a new-age company like Benefittz, such allegations can damage credibility among professionals and investors.
- Legal Implications: Salary withholding, intimidation, and breach of employment contracts can be challenged under Indian labor laws and consumer protection laws.
Role of Choice4Voice.com
At Choice4Voice.com, we ensure that genuine employee complaints like Mallika’s are highlighted.
- By publishing such cases, we bring visibility and pressure on companies to act responsibly.
- Our platform allows employees and consumers to safely raise grievances when companies fail to listen.
- We aim to push for accountability and justice in cases of salary disputes, harassment, and unethical practices.
👉 If you are facing a similar issue with salary withholding, delayed payments, or workplace harassment, you can submit your complaint for free at Choice4Voice.com.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Can a company legally withhold an employee’s salary in India?
A1. No, withholding salary without valid reason is a violation of Indian labor laws.
Q2. What steps can I take if my employer is not paying my salary?
A2. You can:
- Send a formal notice to the employer.
- Escalate to the company’s HR or senior leadership.
- File a complaint with the Labour Commissioner.
- Approach Choice4Voice.com for visibility.
Q3. Can my employer force me to resign without paying dues?
A3. No, this is considered coercion and is illegal under Indian employment law.
Q4. Is demanding employee contacts in exchange for salary ethical or legal?
A4. Absolutely not. Such a demand is unethical, unprofessional, and may amount to harassment.
Q5. How soon must salary be paid after resignation?
A5. As per labor law, final settlement must be cleared within 30–45 days of resignation.
Q6. Can I sue my employer for mental harassment over salary delays?
A6. Yes, you can approach labour courts or consumer courts depending on your employment status.
Q7. What legal recourse do I have if salary is withheld for months?
A7. Employees can approach the Labour Court, NCLT (for startups/companies), or RBI Ombudsman (if financial fraud is suspected).
Q8. What happens if an employer ignores repeated salary requests?
A8. The employee has the right to file a formal dispute and demand compensation for mental distress.
Q9. How does salary withholding affect startups like Benefittz?
A9. It damages credibility, employer branding, and future hiring prospects.
Q10. Can LinkedIn posts help in salary disputes?
A10. Yes, public platforms like LinkedIn can bring social pressure on companies to act.
Q11. Is Choice4Voice.com only for consumer complaints?
A11. No, we also publish employee grievances, salary disputes, and workplace harassment cases.
Q12. What is the role of the Labour Commissioner in such disputes?
A12. The Labour Commissioner ensures compliance with payment of wages laws and can penalize employers.
Q13. Can startups exploit employees more easily?
A13. Unfortunately, some startups misuse lack of structured HR systems to delay salaries or misuse power.
Q14. Can unpaid salaries be recovered legally?
A14. Yes, through legal notices, labor courts, or arbitration.
Q15. How does Choice4Voice.com help employees in disputes?
A15. By publishing verified complaints, we create visibility that compels employers to resolve issues.
Q16. Can withholding salary damage a company’s funding prospects?
A16. Yes, unethical HR practices can deter investors and partners.
Q17. What should employees keep as proof in such cases?
A17. Salary slips, offer letters, appointment letters, emails, and chat screenshots are crucial evidence.
Q18. Is workplace bullying punishable under Indian law?
A18. Yes, persistent bullying and intimidation can be challenged under labour and harassment laws.
Q19. How can I avoid such issues in future employment?
A19. Always research company credibility, check LinkedIn reviews, and demand proper contracts before joining.
Q20. Where can I raise my complaint if my company doesn’t pay my salary?
A20. You can escalate to:
- Labour Court
- Labour Commissioner
- Consumer Court (if contractual violation)
- Choice4Voice.com for public visibility
Choice4Voice.com Is Here to Help You
If you are facing a similar issue and would like our support in highlighting your concern, we are here to assist.
Simply write a LinkedIn post and tag our official page Choice4Voice.com
Submit your complaint directly : https://choice4voice.com/submit-your-complaint/
Our team will review and feature your case on our website to ensure it gets the attention it deserves.
