Indian Entrepreneur Calls Out 'No-Show' Job Candidates in Viral Post
Pritesh Lakhani, co-founder of the B2B marketplace Pneucons, has sparked a major conversation about India's job market. He recently took to social media to express his frustration with a troubling new trend. Candidates are accepting job offers with no real intention of joining the company.
A Drain on Time and Resources
Lakhani described specific incidents that left his team reeling. Two new hires joined his company only to resign within forty-eight hours. Another candidate accepted a formal offer letter but never showed up for the first day of work. He called these experiences a recurring waste of valuable time and company resources.
"No drama. No explanation. Just wasted time," Lakhani wrote in his post, capturing the sheer frustration felt by many employers.
Why Hiring Feels 'Broken' Today
The entrepreneur argued that such behavior explains why the recruitment process often feels dysfunctional. It is not about companies being heartless, he clarified. Instead, it is about repeated breaches of trust forcing businesses to protect themselves.
"This is why hiring feels broken. Not because companies are heartless, but because trust keeps getting abused," he stated. He believes that what job seekers see as rigid corporate policies are often direct reactions to previous disappointments.
"Trust isn't lost randomly. It's lost one offer letter at a time," Lakhani added, highlighting the cumulative impact of these incidents.
Changing Processes in Response
Faced with this challenge, Lakhani's team was compelled to revise their entire hiring approach. They made a significant policy change. The company now shares official offer letters only after a candidate has physically joined and started work.
"We decided to share offer letters only after people joined. Not to control anyone. Just to protect ourselves from repeat no-shows," he explained. However, he noted that even this defensive measure has not entirely solved the problem. Some candidates still back out at the very last moment.
Social Media Echoes the Sentiment
Lakhani's post quickly went viral, resonating with many business owners and hiring managers. The discussion revealed a shared sense of exasperation across the industry.
- One user commented, "Getting the right set of people is a mammoth task. And then some of these seemingly 'right' people just vanish."
- Another user pointed out, "Every strict rule exists because someone did not show up. No policies start for fun."
- A third reaction summarized the cycle: "Trust didn't vanish overnight... no shows, ghosting, last minute exits all add up so policies get tighter."
This public debate underscores a growing tension in India's professional landscape. As companies navigate rapid technological change and seek skilled talent, foundational trust in the hiring process appears to be eroding. The experiences shared by Lakhani suggest that both employers and job seekers may need to rebuild this essential element for a healthier job market.
