Jobseeker's revenge against HR, after he was told he's 'too young' to be paid well, has Internet in splits

In the ever-evolving world of job interviews and corporate onboarding, candidates are increasingly encountering situations that border on the absurd. A recent Reddit post that quickly went viral within the Indian Workplace subreddit shed light on the strange, and sometimes shocking, demands made by recruiters and HR professionals.

The original post, titled “What’s the craziest comment your HR has told you?” sparked widespread engagement and disbelief, receiving over 250 upvotes and an outpouring of shared experiences.

“Can You Postpone Your Marriage?”

The post began with a particularly jarring anecdote. One user recounted a moment when a colleague, while handing out his wedding invitation at work, was asked by an HR representative, “Can you postpone your marriage?” This, however, was only the beginning. The same user mentioned three other comments heard by friends in their professional circles: “Why do you need to start a family now? You’re still young,” and “How much weekend workload are you willing to take on?” These comments reflect a concerning intrusion into employees’ personal lives, couched in casual, inappropriate HR queries.

Redditors Reveal More Outrageous Conversations

The comment section quickly became a forum for professionals to vent and share their own bizarre interactions with hiring and HR teams. One commenter described a phone interview where an HR professional questioned their salary expectations with the comment, “Why do you need such a high salary at this age?” The respondent admitted that the question deeply angered them, prompting them to initially accept the offer, delay their joining twice, and ultimately opt for a different organization. The experience was a striking example of how tactless remarks can impact candidate decisions.

When Health Crises Are Ignored

Another Redditor recalled a shocking instance involving a colleague who was in the emergency room when HR reached out for a favor. “Will you be able to take this interview? It will just take one hour,” the HR reportedly asked. The sheer insensitivity of the request was not lost on the commenter or others who read the post.

An even more disturbing account came from a user recovering from surgery. Just three days into their prescribed 15-day recovery, their boss suggested they start working from bed. “You don’t need this much rest,” the boss said, despite medical documentation being submitted in advance. This comment reflected not only a lack of empathy but also a blatant disregard for employee well-being.

Promotions That Result in Pay Cuts?

In yet another baffling tale, a user shared an incident where a promotion ended up reducing their overall earnings. Previously in a role that included substantial monthly incentives, the employee accepted a new position assuming a corresponding pay hike. Weeks later, HR informed them via email of a minor ₹5,000 increment—significantly less than their earlier incentives. Upon questioning the decision, HR bluntly responded, “Okay, go back to your previous role then.”

These incidents highlight a troubling pattern of tone-deaf and intrusive behavior from HR departments, leaving professionals to question the integrity and empathy of those meant to support workplace well-being