Chennai founder shares how a 22-year-old employee quit corporate job for a gig. Netizens say, ‘It’s salary review not life lesson’
What matters more to young workers today: long-term career growth or immediate monthly income? That debate exploded online after a Chennai founder shared that one of his youngest employees had walked away from a corporate role to become a full-time delivery driver. The story quickly struck a nerve because it touched a reality many early-career professionals face every day, where mentorship and future promises often collide with rent, bills, and the urgent need for cash in hand at the end of the month.
A Chennai-based founder has revealed that a promising 22-year-old employee recently resigned from his company after deciding he could earn more through delivery gigs. Akshat Jain shared the episode on social media and said the employee was part of the administration team. According to Jain, the young worker stood out for his talent and potential, and the company had been investing time in helping him grow professionally.
Jain said the team had been mentoring him closely. They gave him books, introduced him to AI tools, and believed he had the capability to rise significantly within the organisation over the next few years. In Jain’s view, the employee could have gone on to lead a department within three to five years.
But while that long-term path was being mapped out, the employee had already started exploring another route.
According to Jain, the 22-year-old had begun doing delivery work on weekends to supplement his income. What started as a side hustle soon changed the equation. After experiencing the earnings firsthand, he realised that gig work could bring in more money immediately than his current job.
Jain said the employee ultimately resigned after concluding he could earn around ₹35,000 to ₹40,000 per month through delivery work. That decision sparked a larger conversation about how younger workers evaluate opportunity. For many people starting out, future titles and career ladders can feel distant compared to present-day financial needs. A role that promises growth over several years may struggle to compete with work that increases take-home pay right now.
Jain also shared that he tried to persuade the employee to reconsider. He argued that delivery work may provide short-term income but offers limited long-term progression. He also raised concerns about the physical strain of such jobs, saying that health may not support that pace of work indefinitely. In addition, Jain said gig work would not help build the corporate skills that could open bigger professional opportunities later.
Internet reacts
Online reactions were swift and sharply divided. Some users said delivery work may actually offer a better immediate career option than an administration role, especially if the corporate job comes with low pay and limited financial upside. Others argued that the founder appeared to be compensating the employee with mentorship and grooming rather than a salary strong enough to support basic living expenses.Several commenters said that if the employee chose a ₹35,000 to ₹40,000 delivery income over the company role, it likely reflected how little he was being paid in the first place. For many workers, they noted, food on the table and monthly stability matter more urgently than books, AI training, or promises of future growth.
Some users described the situation as exploitation, saying it makes little sense to recognise talent while continuing to offer wages in the ₹15,000 to ₹20,000 range. At the same time, a few felt the employee also missed an opportunity by not switching to a better-paying corporate role instead of choosing gig work with fewer long-term prospects.
Others summed up the episode more bluntly: if a 22-year-old would rather deal with traffic and delivery pressure than stay in an office job, the real issue may be compensation rather than ambition.
