Zomato CEO’s Controversial Job Offer: No Salary, Rs 20 Lakh Donation Sparks Debate

Deepinder Goyal, the CEO of Zomato, has caused a stir with a unique job posting that defies accepted hiring practices. Goyal posted an ad for a Chief of Staff position on his X (previously Twitter) account with peculiar terms: a Rs 20 lakh payment to Zomato’s non-profit Feeding India and no remuneration for the first year. Zomato further pledged to give Rs 50 lakh to a charity of the chosen candidate’s choosing.

Although marketed as a special “learning opportunity,” this hiring strategy has come under heavy fire online, prompting concerns about the ethics, inclusion, and fairness of contemporary employment procedures.

The role and its unique requirements

The Chief of Staff post is not a typical one. The individual will work in a variety of Zomato verticals, such as Blinkit, Hyperpure, District, and Feeding India, Goyal said. Qualities like empathy, a “hunger” to learn, a lack of entitlement, and effective communication are highlighted in the job description. In an effort to minimize “professional conditioning,” Goyal notably discouraged applications from those with a lot of work experience.

Goyal positioned the position as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that might rival the professional and academic development of a top MBA school. It has been criticized for the upfront financial barrier, a gift of Rs 20 lakh, even though it promises a handsome compensation of over Rs 50 lakh starting in the second year.

The payment requirement of Rs 20 lakh caused social media backlash. According to many users, the post is “elitist” and alienates candidates from the middle class and those from

lower socioeconomic backgrounds. One user said, “They will definitely go hungry after the loan for 20L,” while another charged that Zomato was putting prospective employees under excessive financial strain.

Goyal responded to the criticism by maintaining his position. Goyal responded, “No, we just want one person who gets the point,” in response to a social media user who claimed the company was evaluating applicants without paying them. No, not 100.

The criticism remained in spite of the clarification. It was questioned by critics if widespread adoption of such procedures would create a concerning precedent for the business sector.

Debate on Innovation and Hiring Fairness

While some praised the creative strategy to identify motivated, high-potential candidates, others criticized it as nothing more than a publicity stunt. The controversy also brought to light wider concerns about fairness and accessibility in hiring, particularly in India, where financial disparities are prominent.

The debate surrounding Goyal’s job offer raises a key question: Can unconventional hiring methods align with equal opportunity? If other companies adopt Zomato’s approach, it could reshape the hiring landscape, potentially narrowing opportunities for talented individuals from less privileged backgrounds. The success or failure of this approach remains to be seen.