Gurugram Startup Founder Fires Employee Over WhatsApp, Says ‘Consider Today Your Last Day’; Netizens React

A startup founder from Gurugram has come under heavy criticism after he shared a controversial hiring approach and fired an employee through WhatsApp without any notice period.

The incident has sparked a wider debate about work culture in startups and employee rights.

What Happened?

Nikhil Rana, who runs a Gurugram-based company called The 15, shared a post on LinkedIn explaining his views on hiring and employee management.

In his post, he stated that he strongly believes in a "no-notice period" policy, calling traditional notice periods unnecessary and a waste of time.

To support his point, he shared a screenshot of a WhatsApp conversation with an employee, which quickly went viral.

The WhatsApp Conversation That Sparked Outrage

In the shared chat, the employee informed Rana that he would not be able to attend an event but offered to help remotely and promised to complete the work by Monday.

However, Rana's reply was short and direct. He asked the employee to leave and said that the same day would be his last working day.

This abrupt decision shocked many people online and became the main reason for the backlash.

Founder's Views on Work Culture

In his post, Rana explained his expectations from employees. He said startups need people who:

• Take full ownership of their work
• Act quickly and independently
• Focus on getting things done

He also added that skills are no longer the most important factor, suggesting that attitude and initiative matter more in today's work environment.

Social Media Reacts Strongly

The post received strong criticism from users across social media, especially on LinkedIn.
Many people said the approach was too harsh and showed a lack of respect for employees. Some pointed out that being constantly available should not be seen as a sign of dedication.

One user commented that only machines or AI can be available all the time, not humans. Others described the incident as toxic work culture and criticised the idea of firing someone instantly without proper discussion.

Debate on Startup Work Culture

The incident has once again brought attention to the challenges of startup work culture in India.

Key issues being discussed include:

• Expectations of round-the-clock availability
• The balance between performance and employee well-being
• The importance of fair policies like notice periods

Many experts believe that while startups often demand flexibility and speed, basic workplace respect and clear communication should not be ignored.

The controversy surrounding the Gurugram startup founder highlights a growing conversation about how companies treat their employees.

While some leaders push for high performance and quick results, the reaction to this incident shows that people also value fairness, empathy, and respect in the workplace.