Startup Originals Team
A LinkedIn post by Indian HR professional Priyavarshini M. has gone viral after she revealed a jaw-dropping episode: an employee resigned just five minutes after receiving their first salary. The post, detailing the HR team’s disappointment and questions around professional ethics, has ignited a nationwide debate on employment practices, loyalty, and the evolving meaning of workplace professionalism.
HR’s Perspective: “Is This Ethical?”
According to Priyavarshini, the employee’s salary was credited at 10:00 AM, only for their resignation email to hit HR’s inbox at 10:05 AM. She expressed deep frustration, noting the company had invested significant time and effort in onboarding and training, only to be met with an abrupt departure. Raising the question of ethics, she wrote, “Let’s talk about professional ethics. The company welcomed you, trusted you, and gave you a platform to grow. And then-five minutes after your first salary hit your account-you walked away. Was that fair? Was it ethical?”
She continued, arguing that such last-minute resignations show “a lack of intent, maturity, and accountability.” The post emphasized the importance of honest communication and a thoughtful approach to career decisions. “If something didn’t feel right: You could’ve spoken up. You could’ve asked for clarity or help. You could’ve made a conscious exit, not a convenient one,” she added.
Priyavarshini wrapped up by urging professionals to choose accountability over convenience: “Pause. Reflect. Communicate. Because in the end, your professionalism is defined not by your post – but by your actions.”
Social Media Reacts: A Divided House
The post quickly became a lightning rod, amassing thousands of reactions and hundreds of comments. Opinions have been sharply divided:
- Support for the Employee: Many users defended the employee, pointing out that salaries are compensation for work already completed, not a retention bonus. “Ethics? Let’s be clear: salaries are paid for work already done – not for charity, not in advance. If someone resigns after getting paid, it means they fulfilled their obligation for that month,” wrote one commenter.
- Criticism of the HR’s Post: Some questioned whether it was appropriate for an HR professional to publicly air such matters, calling the LinkedIn rant “immature” and suggesting that posting grievances about employees on social media is itself unprofessional.
- Highlighting Corporate Dual Standards: Others noted that companies themselves often terminate employees abruptly-sometimes in the middle of the month-without sufficient notice or explanation. “How ethical is it when companies fire people overnight?” asked one respondent.
The Bigger Conversation: Professionalism, Loyalty, and Power Dynamics
Many weighed in on the broader question of mutual responsibility. Some suggested that early resignations can stem from unmet expectations, toxic work culture, or realizing a mismatch that only becomes clear on the job. The debate exposes the uncomfortable truth that professional “ethics” and loyalty are viewed differently by employers and employees-and that the balance of power in the job market is shifting.
Conclusion: A Snapshot of Modern Work, Not Just a Viral Moment
The incident may have started with a five-minute exit, but it spotlights enduring challenges in the employee-employer relationship-ranging from communication and transparency to fairness and trust. While HR professionals seek commitment, employees increasingly value autonomy and the right to walk away. If nothing else, the viral resignation episode has made one thing clear: in India’s fast-changing workplaces, everyone-from HR to new hires-is rethinking what it means to be truly professional.
