Zepto, a famous quick-commerce startup has been facing serious allegations about its internal culture. The latest uproar started with a Reddit post, where an anonymous Zepto employee accused the company of promoting a toxic work environment, alleging long working hours and late-night meetings.
While some believed the allegations to be exaggerated, others took to social media to voice their concern. In the midst of this storm, Zepto’s CEO, Aadit Palicha, joined the conversation with a cryptic post on X (formerly Twitter), which has sparked further intrigue and speculation.
The Reddit Allegations
The Reddit post, which has gained significant traction, painted a grim picture of life at Zepto. The user, claiming to be a current employee, described long working hours, with tech teams reportedly working until 1 AM and being pushed to stay awake with the aid of tablets. The employee went as far as to describe Zepto’s work culture as “toxic,” claiming that the company exploited young workers, making them work up to 14 hours a day. The poster also accused Zepto of not prioritizing employee well-being, citing pressures from growth and investors as the driving force behind these practices.
But perhaps the most alarming part of the post was the claim that Zepto’s CEO, Aadit Palicha, allegedly begins his workday at 2 PM, resulting in meetings that stretch into the early hours of the morning. The post speculated that the company’s culture was one that favored grueling hours, leaving little room for a healthy work-life balance.
Palicha’s Response
As the allegations snowballed, Palicha responded in a rather indirect but pointed manner. On Wednesday morning, he posted on X, referencing an interview with Daksh Gupta, the CEO of Greptile, who had earlier made headlines for his controversial views on work-life balance. Gupta had defended his company’s grueling work culture, stating that a lack of work-life balance was a reality in the startup world. Palicha quickly distanced himself from Gupta’s views, stating, “I have nothing against work-life balance. In fact, I recommend it to all our competitors,” adding that the quote was sourced from Gupta’s interview.
However, it’s worth noting that this post came shortly after the Reddit allegations against Zepto gained attention. Some users on social media speculated that Palicha’s comment was, in fact, a subtle dig at the ongoing criticism of Zepto’s work culture.
Social Media Reactions
Palicha’s post didn’t go unnoticed. On X, the response was mixed, with many social media users commenting on the apparent irony of Palicha defending work-life balance while his company was facing allegations of the opposite. One user jokingly remarked, “Ah, burning the midnight oil to dunk on toxic work culture posts on Reddit? Bold strategy!” Others expressed concern, with one comment reading, “8 AM is the new 2 AM,” suggesting that the long working hours at Zepto were far from the exception in the startup world.
While some defended the CEO, citing his busy schedule as a reflection of the demands of leading a startup, others remained skeptical about the work culture at Zepto. A few even pointed to the fact that Palicha himself had admitted in the past that the early days of Zepto were intense, with the team working around the clock to get the company off the ground.
The Bigger Picture
This controversy over work-life balance is far from isolated. Earlier, Infosys founder Narayan Murthy also sparked a debate when he dismissed the idea of work-life balance, emphasizing the importance of hard work. Similarly, Daksh Gupta’s comments about the 84-hour workweek at Greptile ignited backlash, with many accusing him of promoting unsustainable work practices. Gupta later clarified that such a work culture was only meant for the first couple of years of a startup’s growth.
Palicha, who co-founded Zepto at the age of 19, has also faced criticism in the past over the demands placed on employees. Despite being one of India’s youngest billionaires, with a net worth of ₹4,300 crore, he has yet to comment directly on the Reddit post or clarify the work culture at Zepto.
What’s Next?
As the controversy over Zepto’s work culture continues to unfold, the company remains tight-lipped on the specific allegations raised in the Reddit post. With the growing public interest in work-life balance and employee well-being, it remains to be seen whether Zepto will address the issues more directly or continue to stay silent.
For now, Palicha’s cryptic posts and the viral Reddit allegations have left many wondering whether the startup will choose to prioritize its employees’ well-being or continue to push for ever-longer hours in the pursuit of growth. One thing is certain – the debate over work-life balance is only getting started, and Zepto will likely find itself under increasing scrutiny in the coming months.
