A LinkedIn post by a Gujarat-based startup founder outlining his company’s practice of collecting a “security cheque” from new hires has sparked widespread debate over workplace trust, ethics and legality.
The entrepreneur, a co-founder of a software firm based in Ahmedabad, said the policy was introduced in response to what he described as a growing pattern of candidates withdrawing from job offers shortly before their scheduled joining dates.
“Lately, I’m seeing a strange (and worrying) trend,” he wrote. “Candidates accept an offer. Confirm the joining date. Then… back out 1–2 days before joining.”
He added that explanations given by candidates were often vague. “Reasons range from ‘personal things’ to ‘something came up’,” he wrote, claiming the issue was becoming “way too common, especially with Gen Z hires”.
To address the problem, the founder said his company had begun requesting a cheque equivalent to one month’s salary once an offer was formally accepted. “We’ve started enforcing a security cheque equivalent to one month’s salary once the offer is accepted,” he wrote. “Not to intimidate, but to set clear expectations and discipline.”
Explaining the terms, he added: “If you commit to a joining date, we expect you to honour it. If you back off at the last moment, the cheque gets encashed. Simple.”
He further clarified that the measure was not applied rigidly in all cases. “If it’s a genuine reason or notified early on, goes without saying the cheque is shredded,” he said, arguing that last-minute withdrawals cost hiring teams “time, momentum, and real money”. “Commitment has to be a two-way street,” he added.
The post drew a strong and divided response on LinkedIn. One user questioned the legal basis of the policy, writing: “Curious how a security cheque is even enforceable. If you paid someone an advance joining bonus, you are well within your rights to ask for a security cheque equivalent to the amount in case they don't join… I'm not really sure how a security check can be requested otherwise.”
The same commenter added: “Why would you want to arm-twist someone into honouring their commitment to join your firm? Genuinely good employees with integrity are well worth the wait.” The founder replied: “Appreciate the insight, will try it for future hires.”
Other reactions ranged from surprise to support. “This is actually happening?! In this job market?!” one person wrote. A Nagpur-based founder commented: “That's a brilliant idea!”
Criticism was also blunt. A product manager responded: “It's stupid and illegal. At some point, someone will flag this company to the labour ministry.” Addressing the allegation, the founder said: “Not sure how it might be illegal. We convey our process to candidates over email, phone and the T&C of our offer letter (signed and accepted by candidate). We only collect the cheque upon explicit acceptance from candidate, and give it back on the joining date.”
Another user summed up the ethical concern by writing: “This is a real problem no doubt. But enforcing commitment through a security cheque feels like treating a trust gap with a penalty tool.”
"Do you reply to every single resume you get? Do you NEVER ghost a candidate? Can you close 95% of hiring processes in under 2 weeks? Have you NEVER lowballed a candidate? Forget lowball, have you ever just given someone what they asked for? Have you ever asked a candidate if there was any reason they weren't excited to join? I've seen this entitlement for 20 years. Nobody's obligated to join you on accepting an offer. If you're getting systemic reneges, look inward," a user wrote.
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