Techie earning Rs 23,000 faces sudden job cut. Boss offers him solo WFH role for Rs 25,000. Internet warns, ‘He can fire you anytime’
A young tech professional in Mohali recently found himself navigating one of the harshest realities of the IT industry. With only eight months of experience as a full-stack developer, he faced a sudden team-wide job cut, leaving him with a difficult choice: accept a solo work-from-home role for Rs 25,000, slightly higher than his previous Rs 23,000, while taking on full-stack and mobile projects alone, or risk unemployment in a tough tech market. The pressure to adapt quickly highlights the growing volatility faced by early-career developers.
The techie explained that his employer, citing a lack of ongoing projects, abruptly dissolved a 20-member team, signalling the last working day for all. In a separate conversation, the manager offered him the opportunity to continue alone, managing multiple project streams from home, with a promise of a future salary increase once new work arrives. While this proposal offered continuity, it came without a formal offer letter or guaranteed compensation adjustments.
Despite the heavy workload, he reluctantly agreed for the time being, recognising that the competitive market left few alternatives. Handling full-stack development alongside mobile projects on a shoestring salary presents both a learning opportunity and an ethical dilemma about fair compensation, workload sustainability, and career growth. He turned to the online community for guidance, seeking advice on balancing immediate financial needs with long-term professional development, highlighting the increasingly precarious reality for early-career tech talent in India’s fast-paced IT sector.
Internet’s advice
The online community weighed in on the techie’s dilemma, emphasising caution despite verbal assurances. Many noted that without formal written confirmation, any promises of a pay increase are unreliable, and given the company’s instability, there’s a strong chance he could be let go if projects don’t materialize. With work-from-home flexibility, most advised continuing temporarily while actively seeking other opportunities.
Some suggested exploring contractor roles with larger MNCs, which could provide better pay, stability, and a path to full-time positions. Others shared personal experiences where startups overpromised compensation, delayed payments, or eventually shut down, reinforcing the need to carefully weigh the risks and benefits before committing fully.
