Mumbai startup founder's 'don't ghost after payday' post sparks workplace debate

India Today

11 hours ago

The founder of a Mumbai-based startup has triggered a workplace debate after he opened up about how a few employees took their salaries and then quit the next day without a word.Kiran Shah, founder of Market Fit@Go Zero, said that until recently, his startup followed a common industry practice of paying salaries on the 10th or even the 15th of the following month. However, he found this system inconvenient for employees with early-month financial obligations.advertisementThus, in December 2023, he shifted the salary date to the 1st of every month, hoping to ease the burden on his team. His decision, however, came with a side effect.
In his LinkedIn post, Shah said that four employees have quit the very day they received their salary since the change.'Does it hamper the company operations? Of course it does. Will I change the salary processing back to 10th? Of course not. If I start penalising the entire team for a couple of such dumb folks, then it puts a question mark on the culture I am building at GZ,' Shah said.While addressing the ethics of abrupt resignations, Shah did not mince his words.'Don't ghost your employer once you get the salary. If you are not happy with the work or remuneration or boss or founder or colleagues or location or any damn thing, have a communication with your manager. Or even the founder - I am super approachable to anyone in the organisation. But do it in a professional way that doesn't burn bridges,' he said, adding: 'The company will run after a few hiccups due to your suddenly exit, but puts a big question mark on your character and your growth as an individual.'
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However, several LinkedIn users disagreed with Shah, who called out his approach and questioned the company's HR culture.'You need better HR. Stop doing HR. You are a founder,' a user said.Others pointed out that paying salaries on time isn't a generous gesture but a basic responsibility: 'Receiving salaries on time is the right of every employee. Most startups these days are exploiting employees by expecting them to work extra hours in light of the 'hustle culture' and still end up not receiving their salaries. Such startups need to have proper HR processes in place. The problem is much bigger than setting up a credit date.'Another comment read, 'If someone has worked for you through the month, regardless of performance or other factors, paying them is not a favour—it's your obligation. Whether someone chooses to stay or leave is their decision, but consistency and fairness in how we treat people shouldn't waver. Frankly, if salary dates become a point of negotiation or uncertainty, it reflects a culture of insecurity - and that, to me, is far more concerning.'Some also encouraged self-reflection over blame. 'You should be more concerned about why your employees are leaving, rather than how they are leaving,' one user said. Another added, 'Most companies pay by the end or start of the month. If people don't return after payday, it points to deeper problems. Employees tied only to the salary and not the vision might not be the right fit to begin with.'advertisementWhat is your take on this?