Joined in the morning, left by lunch: Delhi startup employee quits on first day, earns netizens' respect

Indian Express

a day ago

A story about a new hire who quit his job on the very first day has resonated widely with corporate workers online.
The incident took place at a Delhi-based startup, where the employee showed up for his first morning of work, stayed until lunch, and then quietly walked out, leaving his laptop behind. He never returned.
According to a post on X by user '@Poan__Sapdi,' the man ignored repeated calls from the company before finally answering one from HR. His explanation was blunt: he simply couldn't work there.
The post read: 'A friend told me about this guy who joined a startup here in Delhi. On his very first day, he left his laptop on his desk during lunch and just never came back. He ignored everyone's calls initially but later picked up HR's, and just said he cannot work there.'
A friend told me about this guy who joined a startup here in Delhi. On his very first day, he left his laptop on his desk during lunch and just never came back. He ignored everyone's calls initially but later picked up HR's, and just said he cannot work there 😭
— Poan Sapdi (@Poan__Sapdi) August 19, 2025
The anecdote quickly went viral, sparking thousands of reactions and a wider conversation about work culture and burnout. Some shared their own short-lived job stints, while others praised the man for prioritising his peace of mind over a poor fit.
'That's wild but honestly not surprising,' one user commented. 'Startup culture can be overwhelming, and sometimes the fit just isn't right. It's important to trust your instincts about a workplace, even if it means walking away on day one. Have you ever felt that way about a job?'
Another admitted, 'I left one of my jobs in a week, texted them on WhatsApp after taking a 'leave' for two days and then ghosted them.'
A third user said, 'Well real heros wait for the salary day, and leave it once the salary is credited with proper KT folder in it (know someone who did this).'
Others saw the move as bold, with one person writing, 'Everyone should have that courage to protect their mental peace.' Some even described the employee as the perfect example of Gen Z work philosophy.
This isn't the first time such a story has gone viral. Recently, a LinkedIn post by an Indian HR professional described another unusual exit: an employee who resigned barely minutes after receiving their first salary.
'Salary credited at 10:00 AM, resignation emailed at 10:05 AM,' the HR wrote, adding that the HR and training teams were left baffled after investing so much effort into the new hire.
The authenticity of both claims has not been independently verified by indianexpress.com.