Kiran Shah, the founder of sustainable D2C brand Go Zero, recently brought attention to a controversial workplace trend, employees ghosting their jobs right after salary disbursement. During his time as a startup founder, Shah shared that some team members stopped coming to work right after they got their paychecks. This has led to conversations on LinkedIn, HR forums, and within startup groups. People are discussing bigger problems in today’s work culture, especially in India’s fast-growing startup scene.
The Intention Behind the 1st-of-Month Salary Move
Shah implemented an innovative technique of paying salaries on the first of each month to boost staff morale and financial stability. He hoped to alleviate his employees’ financial hardship.
Unfortunately, this adjustment has unintended implications. Shah wrote in a popular LinkedIn post that,
“However, to all the folks out there – don’t ghost your employer once you get the salary. If you are not happy with the work or remuneration or boss or founder or colleagues or location or any damn thing, have a communication with your manager. Or even the founder – I am super approachable to anyone in the org. But do it in a professional way that doesnt burn bridges.”
Startup Founders & HR Professionals React
The term “payday ghosting” has since become a trending topic, with many founders and HR heads expressing concern over the trend. While some believe this is an isolated issue tied to weak hiring filters, others see it as a symptom of broader communication and loyalty gaps in startup hiring.
Industry experts argue that beyond pay, startups must also cultivate purpose, accountability, and mutual respect as part of their workplace ethos.
A Wake-Up Call for Startup Hiring Practices
Kiran Shah’s experience highlights the need for better onboarding, clearer expectations, and assessing cultural fit during hiring. Some HR leaders are looking into new ways to keep employees, such as mid-month pay, performance-based bonuses, and better exit plans.
Startups, which often have small teams and limited budgets, cannot afford unexpected employee departures. This situation calls for early-stage companies to rethink how they engage with their employees.
Final Thoughts: Building Trust Is a Two-Way Street
“Ghosting” makes employees look unprofessional, but business owners also need to make sure that their cultures promote openness, progress, and respect. The story of Go Zero indicates that the startup world has to change the rules of the workplace so that they are in line with both the founder’s goals and the employees’ honesty.
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