'Cannot work here': Delhi startup employee walks out during lunch on first day. Internet has a lot to say

The account was shared on X (formerly Twitter) by a user @Poan__Sapdi, who attributed it to a friend.

An unusual workplace incident involving a new recruit who abandoned his role on the very first day drew widespread attention online this week, prompting extensive discussion about employee expectations and office culture in India.

The episode reportedly took place at a Delhi-based start-up. The employee joined in the morning, worked until the lunch break, and then calmly placed his company-issued laptop on his desk before leaving the premises. He did not return.

Colleagues and managers attempted to reach him several times, but he initially avoided answering any of their calls. Later, when contacted by the firm’s human resources department, he responded briefly, explaining only that he could not continue in the role.He gave no further clarification.

The account was shared on X (formerly Twitter) by a user @Poan__Sapdi, who attributed it to a friend. In the post, the user wrote: “A friend told me about this guy who joined a startup here in Delhi. On his very first day, he left his laptop on his desk during lunch and just never came back. He ignored everyone’s calls initially but later picked up HR’s, and just said he cannot work there.”

A friend told me about this guy who joined a startup here in Delhi. On his very first day, he left his laptop on his desk during lunch and just never came back. He ignored everyone’s calls initially but later picked up HR’s, and just said he cannot work there

— Poan Sapdi (@Poan__Sapdi) August 19, 2025

Meanwhile, Moneycontrol.com could not independently verify the authenticity of the post.

The post quickly gathered thousands of views and prompted a large volume of comments from users who described the story as both relatable and amusing. Several claimed they had witnessed or even carried out similar acts themselves.

One user wrote: “Been there done that!” while another simply remarked: “Many such cases.”

An X user added his own experience: “Happens a lot. Secretly, a lot of people plan it – few execute it. I had a guy join with me, quite young and jolly and after lunch he disappeared. The laptop just sat there. Didn’t turn up the next day and found from HR that he left.”

Other responses leaned towards humour. One commenter quipped: “Well real heroes wait for the salary day, and leave it once the salary is credited with proper KT folder in it.”

The original post continued circulating widely into the following day, with the discussion spilling into broader debates about workplace culture, start-up pressures and the increasing prioritisation of mental health by younger employees.

Several commenters praised the worker’s decisiveness. One wrote: “Everyone should have the courage to protect their mental peace.”

Another described it as an act of self-respect: “Respect to him for showing some spine.”

Some suggested that the resignation might have been prompted by a mismatch between expectations and reality or even by signs of a toxic workplace environment. One user observed: “That’s wild but honestly not surprising. Startup culture can be overwhelming, and sometimes the fit just isn’t right. It’s important to trust your instincts about a workplace, even if it means walking away on day one. Have you ever felt that way about a job?”