This happened back in 2011 when I changed my job.

I got my salary for the last month with that company, but full and final settlement was pending. Also, I wanted to withdraw the amount of Provident Fund which was accrued to me. The procedure was to be done by them. In total the amount was around Rs 40000.

After I left that company, I followed up with them for about 2–3 months but they did not pay me the pending amount nor they filed my claim for withdrawal of PF. The HR would say: it is pending with the accounts department. Accounts would say they have not received the details from HR. I called everyone from these two departments but they did not do anything.

I knew that there was no issue, they are just delaying. Through my friends there I came to know that the head of HR is to be blamed. I called him up but he only gave me a good answer, no actions.

Then with no other option left, I sent an email to the CEO of company. Since it was a small company, he was quite approachable and I had a good impression when I was working there. I explained to him the issue in details, clearly giving names and also highlighted my supposed financial issues.

I got the a call from accounts the very next day and I got the pending amount in my bank account in 3–4 days. They also filed my claim for withdrawal of PF and I got it soon. I was a little surprised to see the swift action but did not know what happened behind the scene. I did not bother much about it then.

A few months later I attended the wedding of an ex-colleague from that company. Then I got to know what really happened then.

As it turned out, my friends were right. The main culprit was the head of HR who, god knows why, did not approve final settlement for anyone who left the company. When I sent that email to CEO, he asked for the details. Settlements of almost 50 people were pending; some for more than a year. HR head turned a blind eye to all the emails and calls from ex-employees. That screwed the reputation of the company as well.

The CEO scolded the HR head like hell and asked him to settle everything within a week. Also he setup a system wherein the final settlement will be done within a period of 30 days max.

The head of HR had a tough time at the company after this incident. Many of his other negative actions came to notice. He was also there at the wedding. Knowing the tough times he was facing then, I went to meet him and thanked him for the speedy resolution of my final settlement.

He soon left the company afterwards. (I am not to be blamed for this)