'Don't build careers, rent people. This isn't their first job, they won't retire here': Tata Play CEO, netizens react...

A recent LinkedIn post by Harit Nagpal, managing director and CEO of Tata Play (formerly Tata Sky), has stirred conversations across social media after he described hiring employees as “renting people.”

The phrase, which appeared in the opening line of his post, drew a mixed response, with some applauding the fresh perspective and others questioning the choice of words.

In his post, Nagpal urged employers to rethink how they view their workforce. Instead of focusing solely on building long-term careers within their organization, he suggested embracing the reality that most employees arrive with their own beliefs and experiences.

“Don’t build careers. Rent people. This isn’t their first job. They won’t retire here. Allow them to bring their beliefs and attitudes with them," he wrote.

Nagpal’s message emphasized granting employees freedom to contribute in ways they could not before, helping them grow in knowledge and confidence.

He noted that as they learn to excel, they elevate the company’s performance. When employees move on, Nagpal argued, they often encourage others to join, creating a positive cycle.

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Netizens reaction

Since the post went live, it has attracted numerous comments and reactions. Many praised Nagpal for acknowledging today’s dynamic job market, where employees frequently change jobs and value personal growth over lifetime tenures at a single company.

However, some took issue with the term “rent people.” People argued that it frames employees more like temporary commodities than valued contributors. 

"Harit Nagpal Your perspective on empowering employees is inspiring, but I respectfully disagree with the “rent people” analogy. While it’s true that employees may not stay with one company forever, treating the relationship as purely transactional undermines the importance of long-term investment in individuals," a user wrote. 

"If we don’t react to semantics and understand the message , it’s definitely a paradigm shift that’s needed and is calling out a truth that’s often ignored . The equation has changed . It’s no longer a life long career scenario or grow with one company scenario . It’s about adding value where it’s needed and being respected for what you bring to the table rather than being valued for allegiance or tenure . This needs a mindset shift from employees and employers to make it an even value exchange platform," another noted. 

"Harit, I completely resonate with your perspective! The traditional view of career building can often stifle creativity and growth. Renting talent rather than expecting lifelong loyalty allows for a fresh influx of ideas and innovation," a third expressed.