By Jessica Murdock
Unconventional Job Offer Sparks Debate
Zomato CEO and co-founder Deepinder Goyal recently announced that the company had received over 10,000 applications for the position of Chief of Staff, just a day after posting the job listing. The role, which has sparked widespread debate on social media, requires candidates to make a ₹20 lakh donation to Zomato’s charitable initiative Feeding India, and offers no salary for the first year.
In his update on November 21, Goyal revealed that the applications were diverse, with candidates falling into different categories: those who have all the money, those who have some of the money, those who don’t have the money, and those who really don’t have the money. Despite the unusual nature of the role, Goyal acknowledged the overwhelming interest in the position, which has since gone viral.
Job Role: Donation in Place of Salary
The job listing, which was shared on Wednesday, outlined the requirements and benefits of the role. To be considered, the Chief of Staff candidate must donate ₹20 lakh to Feeding India, an initiative aimed at tackling hunger in India. In exchange, the candidate would receive no salary during their first year at Zomato. However, the company also pledged to donate ₹50 lakh to a charity of the employee’s choice, equivalent to the salary the employee would have earned during their first year. From the second year onward, the selected individual would receive a salary of over ₹50 lakh annually.
Reactions and Criticism
The unusual hiring strategy quickly stirred a storm on social media, with some users calling it a “marketing gimmick.” Others raised ethical concerns about the donation requirement, questioning the fairness of a job offer that seems to exclude underprivileged yet talented candidates. Industrialist Harsh Goenka weighed in on the controversy, stating that such a fee “excludes talented but underprivileged candidates” and could be seen as “exploitative,” even if it’s positioned as a learning opportunity.
Goenka also pointed out that the concept raised legal and reputational risks, especially as donations benefit from tax exemptions, while salaries are subject to employment regulations. Several users on Twitter and other platforms echoed similar concerns, claiming that the job offer felt exploitative and could violate India’s Minimum Wages Act, 1948, which mandates that employees must be paid for their work.
Public Reactions and Concerns
While some social media users questioned the legality of the job offer, others sarcastically mocked the situation. One user joked that the job sounded like a scam, similar to the “pay $$$ to get a high-paying job” offers that are often seen in spam calls. Others humorously compared the recruitment process to a reality show, asking, “Who Wants to Be My Employee?”
Despite the backlash, the job listing has garnered significant attention, and many are curious to see how the selection process will unfold. Goyal has promised future updates, keeping the public eagerly awaiting further developments.
