After the working pro made the announcement, it sparked a debate on social media ₹11,000 was deducted from her monthly salary for repeatedly arriving late, drawing attention to workplace attendance policies and the financial burden such penalties can pose to employees who rely on a fixed income.
Posting a video on Instagram, Swathi detailed the deduction and its impact on her day-to-day finances. In the clip, she said: “My February salary has arrived and ₹11000 was deducted for late arrivals. Despite talking to them where they said they would consider my situation, they still went ahead and reduced the amount. ₹11,000 is not small, it is a significant difference, especially for someone who is completely dependent on his salary.”
In the caption, she went on to reflect on the wider implications of such deductions, particularly for individuals without an alternative source of income. She wrote: “If you’re totally dependent on your paycheck it’s going to hurt. Payday should be a relief but yesterday ₹11,000 was deducted from mine. I understand there are attendance policies and rules, but when you rely on a single income, deductions don’t feel like numbers, they feel like survival.”
Swathi also pointed to external factors, including transport-related delays, which she said had been discussed with her employer. “There were public transport delays and conversations that looked understandable, but the payslip told a different story. ₹11,000 may not sound like a lot to everyone, but for someone managing monthly expenses, responsibilities and financial obligations, it makes a difference,” she added.
Clarifying her intent, she noted that the post was not intended to criticize any particular organization. “It’s not revenge to leave or expose someone, it’s just the reality of salary deductions in private jobs in India. Notice periods already feel unstable and pay cuts make it even harder. If you’ve ever opened a salary report and felt anxiety instead of relief, you’ll understand,” she wrote.
Here’s how social media users reacted:
The video has since sparked a range of reactions online, with many users weighing in on the balance between workplace discipline and employee well-being. One user wrote: “ ₹11,000 is a huge cut for any salaried person, companies should consider the real situations.” Another said: “Rules are rules but there should be some flexibility in explaining the circumstances.”
Several commentators highlighted broader systemic concerns. “Public transport delays are real, employers need to understand the stark reality,” commented one, while another commented: “Such deductions from salary can disrupt the entire monthly budget.
Others have focused on the emotional toll such incidents can take. “Payday should bring relief, not stress,” the user wrote. Another added: “Many people go through this in silence, it’s more common than we think.”
(Disclaimer: This report is based on user-generated content from social media. LiveMint has not independently verified and does not endorse these claims.)
