Gaurav Kheterpal, founder and chief executive of Vanshiv Technologies, has gone public with allegations against a newly hired employee whose conduct, he says, forced him to consider legal action. In a detailed post on X, Kheterpal recounted how the candidate, identified as Divya, joined the Jaipur-based firm at an annual package of ₹15 lakh but exited almost immediately under contentious circumstances.
He explained that the company had waited three months for Divya to serve out her notice period before onboarding. Just days before her scheduled start date, she demanded an additional ₹50,000 on top of the agreed salary. Despite the abrupt request, Vanshiv Technologies conceded, fearing the risk of losing a candidate after months of waiting.
Kheterpal stated that Divya completed her joining formalities, received a company-issued laptop, and sought permission to work remotely citing personal issues. The firm approved the request. However, within 24 hours, she allegedly stopped responding to calls, emails, and internal communication channels. The CEO described the situation bluntly: “Candidate shows up, does onboarding, collects laptop & asks for ‘work from home’ due to personal problems. You agree. Next day, she vanishes.”
After repeated attempts, the company eventually reached Divya, who informed them she would not continue due to personal reasons. Kheterpal expressed disbelief at what he termed “unbelievable audacity,” noting that the employee instructed the company to “get your laptop collected” rather than returning it herself.
Kheterpal said the incident left him with little choice but to contemplate legal proceedings, highlighting the risks start-ups face when candidates act unprofessionally after onboarding. He emphasized that such behaviour not only disrupts operations but also undermines trust between employers and employees.
The episode has sparked debate online about hiring practices, candidate accountability, and the challenges faced by emerging companies in retaining talent. While salary negotiations are common, the abrupt withdrawal after onboarding — coupled with possession of company property — has raised questions about ethical standards in professional conduct.
Start-ups often operate under tight timelines and resource constraints, making last-minute disruptions particularly damaging. Industry observers note that while employees have the right to reconsider career choices, transparency and timely communication are critical to maintaining professional integrity.
Kheterpal’s decision to air the matter publicly underscores a growing trend of founders using social media to highlight workplace issues. Whether legal action will follow remains uncertain, but the case has already drawn attention to the fragile balance between employee expectations and employer commitments in India’s competitive technology sector. 
