Hiring turns into harassment for Delhi business owner, sparks online discussion

These days, many small business owners are hiring people on their own, instead of using job portals. But in one such case in Delhi, things took a bad turn. A first-time employer at a local furniture shop ended up feeling threatened and stressed after hiring a new staff member.

What started as a normal hiring process soon turned into a troubling experience– the new employee disappeared without explanation, asked for money, and even hinted at possible threats.The employer shared his experience on Reddit, and since then, it has sparked concern and discussions about how small businesses can hire more safely.Delay in joining raises early concernsAccording to the post, the employee was selected through a well-known job listing platform.

Everything seemed to go as planned– until the joining date. The employee didn’t show up, claiming he was unwell. “He kept delaying by saying he was unwell for 3-4 days,” the employer wrote in his post.

When the employee eventually visited the shop, the owner wasn’t present. He informed over a phone call that he had come just to speak. The following day, he worked briefly and asked for ₹500, saying he needed to get an ultrasound done.

Trusting his request, the employer gave him the money.After payment, no return– only demandsAfter getting the ₹500, the employee disappeared—no work, no updates. But things got worse. The employer said the man later started asking for more money, claiming he had worked for a day and should be paid ₹850 as per the promised monthly salary of ₹25,000.The matter took a darker turn when the employee allegedly issued a threat: “Office ke bahar 10 bande le aaunga kal.”

While it was uncertain whether he would follow through, the message left the employer feeling vulnerable.

Netizens advise calm, Caution, and legal stepsReddit users responded promptly, offering both emotional support and practical suggestions. Some downplayed the threat’s seriousness, saying it was unlikely someone would act violently over a small amount. One user noted, “Don’t think someone threatening over ₹350 can do much.

But always stay cautious.”Others stressed the importance of written contracts and professional communication. One comment read, “In the future, always get a signed agreement. Keep records of payment and hours worked.”Digital hiring, real-life risksSeveral users advised the employer to notify the job portal and send a formal termination notice to the individual. “Send him a formal email saying he was paid ₹500 for the hours he worked.

Let him know his employment is terminated. Tell him that if he threatens again, you'll file a police complaint,” a commenter suggested.

What this incident revealsWhile the situation didn’t turn violent, it caused a lot of mental stress. For first-time employers, not knowing how to handle proper hiring can make things even more difficult.Many people agreed on one thing– doing background checks and being careful is a must, no matter how small the job is. “He’s clearly a fraud. Don’t be scared. Block him and move on. Just do a proper background check next time,” one user summed up.