Nizhny Novgorod residents were told how to act in the event of salary delays.

      January 12, 2026, 10:49 — Economy

      When employed officially, wages must be paid twice a month, without delays. However, sometimes employers violate this order, which raises questions about what actions to take and how to protect workers' rights.

      According to Articles 136 and 142 of the Labour Code of the Russian Federation, a delay in payment of wages is considered a violation from the first day after the established deadline. Lawyer and lecturer at the Financial University under the Government, Natalya Kubasova, told 360.ru that the law requires wages to be paid no less frequently than every half-month, and specific dates must be recorded in the employment contract. Thus, even a one-day delay is a violation.

      To protect their rights in case of wage delays, it is important to collect the following documents and evidence:

      - A copy of the employment contract.

      - Documents establishing wage payment deadlines (an order, regulations).

      - Bank account statements or certificates from the accounting department confirming non-payment.

      - Copies of pay slips and payroll registers.

      - Copies of correspondence with the employer.

      - Internal written requests submitted to the employer demanding payment of wages.

      - Witness statements from colleagues, if they also have problems with wage payments.

      It is then recommended to act step by step. First, contact the employer in writing by sending a request demanding payment of wages. It is important to record the date of the request. If contacting the employer does not lead to results, you can contact the labor inspectorate or the prosecutor’s office. Filing a lawsuit is advisable only if previous measures have not produced results or if there is a risk of the statute of limitations expiring.

      The lawyer emphasized that a worker has the right to demand compensation for each day of delay. The amount of compensation is at least 1/150 of the key rate of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation of the unpaid amount for each day of delay (Article 236 of the Labour Code). The compensation is calculated automatically and paid regardless of the employer’s fault. A worker may also demand compensation for moral damage, but that must be pursued in court.

      In practice, risks may arise such as pressure from the employer, threats of dismissal, or being put on a “blacklist.” However, such actions are illegal. An employee cannot be dismissed for lawful demands to pay wages, as this constitutes a violation of the Labour Code.

      To protect their rights, a worker is advised to:

      - Always record all requests in writing with an incoming registration number.

      - Keep copies of all documents and correspondence.

      - If threats or pressure arise, file complaints with the labor inspectorate, the prosecutor’s office, or the court.

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