Outlook Business Desk
A Noida IT company CEO’s remark comparing hiring interns to buying a coffee machine shocked employees and caught online attention. The comment has sparked debates on employee respect and work culture.
Newly joined interns from Tier-1 and Tier-2 colleges requested a coffee machine during their training, unaware that their casual inquiry would invite a controversial response.
The CEO reportedly said, “In ₹50,000, I can hire two interns, so why spend on a coffee machine?” This remark stunned the interns and highlighted corporate cost priorities.
The post quickly spread online, prompting social media users to question modern work culture. Many criticised the casual comparison of interns to office equipment, raising concerns about ethics in Indian companies.
Reddit users criticised the CEO’s comment, calling it disrespectful and unethical. Many highlighted that interns are valuable team members, not merely cost-saving alternatives to office equipment.
A second user noted India lags behind the US and China in tech practices. Many warned that toxic or unethical behaviour may give short-term gains but harm future growth and investors.