Salary at 10:00 AM, resignation at 10:05 AM: HR executive asks in viral post: 'Was that fair?'

A recent LinkedIn post by an Indian human resources professional has ignited a heated debate across social media. The post recounted an incident where an employee reportedly resigned within minutes of receiving their first salary. According to the HR’s account, the salary was transferred into the employee’s account at 10:00 a.m., and by 10:05 a.m., a resignation email had been submitted. The HR professional expressed concern over what they viewed as questionable workplace ethics, emphasizing the time and effort invested in onboarding and training the individual.

HR Perspective: Commitment and Communication Matter

In their detailed post, the HR professional reflected on how the company had devoted significant resources to welcoming and integrating the new hire. Weeks of training were conducted, and the HR team had spent hours handling onboarding processes and necessary documentation. The company had offered an environment to learn and grow, only for the employee to depart almost immediately after payday.

"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? If you never intended to stay..." the comment read.

From the HR’s standpoint, such behavior indicated a lack of intention to stay from the very beginning. They questioned why someone would accept a position, complete training, and remain silent during the initial stages if they had no plan to continue in the role. The message stressed that while professionalism does not mean lifelong commitment to a single job, it does require open and honest communication, especially when leaving.

The post suggested that if the employee had concerns about the role or work culture, they could have raised those issues early, sought clarity, or chosen to exit in a manner that was respectful to the time and effort others had invested in them. The HR professional concluded that real career growth comes not with the first paycheck, but through sustained dedication, patience, and perseverance.

Public Reaction: Divided Opinions

The post quickly drew widespread attention, with responses reflecting a sharp divide in opinions. Many LinkedIn users came to the employee’s defense, arguing that they had fulfilled their work obligations and were entitled to resign whenever they saw fit. One commenter questioned why the timing of the resignation was relevant, pointing out that employees often find it difficult to voice grievances and might prefer to leave quietly once they are paid for their work.

Another respondent argued that while the employee’s choice might not align with the HR’s expectations, it was unprofessional for a human resources representative to air such matters on a public platform, calling it a sign of immaturity.

Calls for Fairness in Both Directions

Several contributors highlighted that companies themselves often terminate employees suddenly, sometimes in the middle of the month, without proper notice or explanation. From this perspective, the quick resignation could be seen as a mirror of corporate practices. Others noted that salaries are compensation for completed work, not acts of generosity, and thus resigning after receiving payment was not inherently unethical.

In the end, the discussion revealed a broader conversation about workplace ethics, power dynamics, and the importance of mutual respect between employers and employees.