Startup Originals Team
A newly hired employee allegedly misused a company’s internal discount policy to order footwear worth nearly ₹2 lakh, resigned shortly after joining, and later sent a legal notice accusing the firm of harassment, triggering debate around employee misuse and workplace safeguards. The incident has drawn attention on social media and professional circles for its unusual sequence of events.
What Allegedly Happened
According to people familiar with the matter, the employee joined the company and was granted access to internal benefits, including a staff discount programme meant for personal use. Within a short span, the employee allegedly placed multiple orders for shoes using the discount, accumulating purchases worth around ₹2 lakh.
Soon after placing the orders, the employee resigned from the organisation, raising red flags internally. The company reportedly discovered the unusually high-value purchases during routine checks.
Company Flags Misuse of Internal Policy
Sources said the company viewed the purchases as a clear violation of internal policies, which typically restrict employee discounts to limited personal use and prohibit resale or bulk buying.
Following the discovery, the firm reportedly initiated internal communication seeking clarification and recovery of losses. It is unclear whether the employee responded substantively to these requests before exiting.
Harassment Notice Sent After Exit
After leaving the company, the former employee allegedly sent a legal notice claiming harassment, arguing that post-resignation communication from the firm amounted to undue pressure.
The notice reportedly accused the company of intimidation and inappropriate conduct, while denying wrongdoing related to the discount usage.
Legal and HR Grey Area
The case highlights a grey area in employer–employee disputes, especially when benefits are misused during probation or early employment. Legal experts say companies are within their rights to investigate suspected policy violations, but communication must remain professional and documented to avoid harassment claims.
At the same time, employee advocates note that misuse of benefits can weaken trust and complicate genuine cases of workplace harassment.
Companies Tighten Internal Controls
Incidents like this are prompting companies to review discount policies, especially for new hires. Some firms are considering:
- Delaying access to high-value employee benefits
- Setting automated purchase limits
- Adding clearer contractual clauses on benefit misuse
HR professionals say prevention is often more effective than recovery in such cases.
Wider Debate on Ethics and Accountability
The episode has sparked wider discussion online around ethics, accountability, and loopholes in corporate benefit systems. Many industry voices argue that while companies must protect themselves from misuse, employees also need clear communication on acceptable use of benefits.
What Happens Next
Whether the dispute escalates legally will depend on documentation, internal policy wording, and evidence of intent. For now, the case serves as a cautionary tale for both employers and employees on how quickly workplace trust can unravel when systems are misused.
As companies expand benefits to attract talent, ensuring safeguards and clarity around their use is becoming just as important as offering them.
