Swathi, an employee who relies entirely on her monthly income, shared a video on Instagram revealing that ₹11,000 was deducted from her February salary due to repeated late arrivals. In the clip, she expressed the impact of the deduction on her finances:
“My February salary came in, and ₹11,000 was deducted for late arrivals. Despite having a conversation with them where they said they would consider my situation, they still went ahead and cut the amount. ₹11,000 is not a small sum, it makes a significant difference, especially for someone who is completely dependent on their salary.”
Swathi elaborated in her Instagram caption on the broader implications of such deductions, noting that for employees who rely entirely on their paychecks, these cuts are more than just numbers—they affect day-to-day survival.
“If you’re fully dependent on your salary, this will hurt. Salary day is supposed to feel relieving, but yesterday ₹11,000 was deducted from mine. I understand that policies and attendance rules exist, but when you rely on a single income, deductions don’t feel like numbers, they feel like survival.”
She also highlighted external factors like public transport delays and prior conversations with her employer, which led her to expect some flexibility.
“There were public transport delays and conversations that seemed understanding, yet the payslip told a different story. ₹11,000 may not sound like a big amount to everyone, but for someone managing monthly expenses, responsibilities and financial commitments, it changes things.”
Swathi made it clear that her post was not aimed at any particular organisation.
“This isn’t about revenge quitting or exposing anyone, it is simply the reality of salary deductions in private jobs in India. Notice periods already feel unstable, and salary cuts make it even heavier. If you’ve ever opened your salary message and felt anxiety instead of relief, you will understand.”
Social Media Reaction
The post quickly went viral, drawing mixed reactions from social media users. Many empathised with Swathi, citing the emotional and financial toll of salary deductions.
“₹11,000 is a huge cut for any salaried person, companies should consider genuine situations,” one user commented.
Others stressed the need for balancing workplace discipline with understanding individual circumstances:
“Rules are rules, but there should be some flexibility when circumstances are explained.”
Several comments highlighted systemic issues, such as public transport delays affecting punctuality:
“Public transport delays are real, employers need to understand ground realities,” one user wrote. Another added, “Salary deductions like this can disturb an entire monthly budget.”
Beyond the financial aspect, users noted the emotional stress caused by such deductions.
“Salary day should bring relief, not stress,” one comment read. Another noted, “Many people silently go through this, it is more common than we think.”
Swathi’s post has opened a larger discussion on the challenges faced by employees in private companies, balancing workplace policies with the realities of day-to-day life and financial obligations.
