Company sparks controversy after delaying employees’ salaries to teach them a lesson

Entertainment|2025/11/20
Company sparks controversy after delaying employees’ salaries to teach them a lesson
Salary check
  • Company in India delays salaries and calls the hold a "patience-building initiative"
  • The move sparked sarcastic reactions and debates over transparency and employee trust

A strange email from a startup in India justifying the delay of salaries as a "patience-building initiative" has gone viral, triggering wide discussion and humorous responses online.

The email, shared on social media, was written by the company founder: "Hi team, salaries will not be credited today. We no longer call it a delay; it is a patience-building initiative. Remember, growth does not happen only in revenue but also in patience during waiting. Thank you for your continued reflection on payroll timelines. We are not just a startup; we are a movement."

The unusual wording drew surprise from users, gaining thousands of views and more than 2,500 upvotes.

Internet users responded with humor, some suggesting other corporate delays be rebranded similarly, such as "feature will not be delivered today" or "target will not be completed this month."

While the email added humor, it also highlighted employee frustration over downplaying salary delays or framing them as opportunities for "character building."

Some users questioned the authenticity of the email, while others shared similar experiences with vague corporate communication during financial pressures.

The incident sheds light on the challenges startups face in balancing cash flow issues while maintaining employee morale and trust.

Whether humorous or harmful, the email underscores the dynamics of modern corporate culture, where employees increasingly demand transparency and accountability over PR spin.

The case serves as both a cautionary tale and a source of amusement online, reaffirming that clarity and respect in communication remain essential values regardless of company size.