10 am salary, 10.05 am resignation: A new hire's viral exit sparks debate

Dubai: An Indian HR executive's recent LinkedIn post has sparked a major debate after detailing a startling employee resignation. The post recounts an incident where a new hire resigned just five minutes after their first salary was credited. At 10 am, the salary was in their account; by 10.05 am, their resignation email was submitted. The HR professional questioned the ethics of the act, highlighting the company's investment in the employee's onboarding and training.

The HR executive's post emphasized the significant resources dedicated to the new hire. They detailed the hours spent on onboarding and documentation and the weeks of training provided. From their viewpoint, the company had offered a supportive environment for learning and growth, only to have the employee leave immediately after receiving payment for their work.

"The HR team invested hours into your onboarding and documentation. 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?" the post read.

The HR professional suggested that this behavior indicated a lack of commitment from the start. They argued that if the employee had no intention of staying, they should have communicated their concerns earlier or exited more respectfully. They concluded that genuine career growth is built on dedication and perseverance, not just a paycheck.

The post quickly went viral, attracting a wide range of responses. Many social media users defended the employee, asserting that they were within their rights to resign at any time after fulfilling their work obligations. One commenter questioned the relevance of the timing, noting that employees often feel unable to voice grievances and may choose to leave quietly once they are compensated for their time.

Another popular opinion was that the HR executive was unprofessional for airing the matter publicly, calling it a sign of immaturity. The consensus among these commenters was that such internal workplace issues should not be broadcast on a professional networking site.

Several users pointed out the double standard in corporate practices. They highlighted that companies frequently terminate employees without notice, sometimes in the middle of the month. In this light, the employee's quick resignation was seen by some as a reflection of how employers often treat their staff. Other commenters noted that a salary is compensation for work already done, not a gift, and therefore, resigning after getting paid is not unethical.