Founder offering only Rs 5000 for Content Head role sparks Internet outrage: 'Our housemaid earns more.....'

A startup founder has come under intense criticism online after advertising a full-time position with a salary that many believe is unreasonably low. The controversy erupted when a screenshot of the hiring announcement began circulating on social media, drawing widespread attention and backlash. The post was highlighted by entrepreneur Ravi Handa, who brought the issue into the public eye after spotting it in a private messaging group.

According to Handa, the opportunity was shared within a WhatsApp community consisting of founders and overseen by a venture capital professional. What surprised him was not just the compensation being offered, but also the lack of strong objection from most members in the group. Out of hundreds of participants, only a handful appeared to question the legitimacy of the offer, which he found deeply concerning.

The role in question was for a Content Head, a position that typically demands significant experience and responsibility. The selected individual would be expected to handle multiple tasks, including developing content strategies, generating ideas, conducting research, and producing written material across various platforms. These platforms included two Instagram accounts, the company’s primary brand presence, and the founder’s personal LinkedIn profile.


Despite the workload and senior-sounding designation, the compensation ranged between ₹5,000 and ₹15,000 per month. While the post mentioned the inclusion of Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) as an added benefit, critics were quick to point out that such incentives rarely compensate for extremely low base pay, especially for a full-time commitment.

The listing also described the role as remote with flexible working hours. However, it was clearly defined as a full-time job, further intensifying concerns about fairness and exploitation. Many social media users expressed disbelief that such an offer could be made seriously in today’s job market.

The online reaction was swift and largely critical. Several individuals mocked the compensation structure, noting the stark mismatch between the responsibilities and the pay. Others questioned how such a listing was allowed to pass through a moderated group without stronger pushback. Some pointed out that the proposed salary does not meet even basic living standards, while a few suggested that the role might only be suitable as a learning opportunity for students, rather than a professional position.

Another X user wrote: "Our house chef of staff (housemaid) earns much more than that with perks like leave whenever they want flexibility as full time..."

Overall, the incident has reignited discussions about fair compensation, ethical hiring practices, and the responsibilities of founders when building their teams.