Harsh Goenka roasted for calling 9-to-5 jobs a 'trap': Internet calls out the irony

Despite Harsh Goenka’s intention to inspire reflection, the post was met with widespread scepticism and sarcasm.

Indian billionaire industrialist Harsh Goenka was at the centre of social media criticism after posting a video that appeared to disparage traditional 9-to-5 employment. In his latest message on X (formerly Twitter), Goenka suggested that being an employee could be a life-consuming “trap”, prompting users to question whether the sentiment extended to his own workforce.

Sharing a video titled “How 9-to-5 jobs take over your life,” Goenka captioned the post: “Wake up….before it’s too late!” The video, which was meant as a cautionary tale, did not sit well with several viewers online, many of whom pointed out the irony of such a message coming from a man who leads an organisation that employs thousands in conventional job roles.

The animated video began with the caption “How 9-to-5 jobs take over your life” and depicted a person confined within a small box, symbolising the limited scope of a job. Over time, as the individual earned promotions and higher salaries, they were allowed to move to slightly larger boxes—still trapped, but with more space. Upon retirement, the person was shown buying a skateboard, presumably to finally enjoy youth-like freedom. However, he fell while attempting to skate, suggesting that a lifetime spent in the grind left him unable to truly enjoy life in the end.

Wake up….before it’s too late! pic.twitter.com/mlQxDWXFcw

— Harsh Goenka (@hvgoenka) July 18, 2025

Despite Goenka’s intention to inspire reflection, the post was met with widespread scepticism and sarcasm.

One user responded, “Sir ji, don't show it to your employees. Imagine if all your employees start believing in it. Then what will happen to your organisation?”

Another wrote, “Sir, the same kind of environment might be prevalent in your companies, too.”

A third noted the realistic limitations faced by many workers: “It’s true, but many people are bound by their circumstances.” A fourth commenter added, “Irony is, it's coming from an entrepreneur who employs people for 9-to-5 jobs. Good to see that, sir.”

This isn’t the first time Goenka, who often shares motivational or philosophical content online, has sparked a debate.