‘Not a delay, a patience-building initiative’: Startup founder shocks employees after salary delay

A viral screenshot of an internal email from a startup founder has sparked widespread online criticism after employees were informed that delayed salary payments should be viewed as a “patience-building initiative.”

The email screenshot, which was shared by the user named "No-Crow-9014" on Reddit, shows the founder notifying staff that salaries would not be credited on the scheduled date.

Rather than acknowledging it as a delay, the message frames the situation as a growth exercise.

“We’re not calling it a delay anymore, it’s a patience-building initiative,” the email reads. “Growth doesn’t only happen in revenue; it also happens in waiting.”

The message goes on to thank employees for their “continued meditation on payroll timelines,” adding, “We’re not just a startup. We’re a movement.”

Patience building initiative
byu/No-Crow-9014 inIndianWorkplace

Netizens reaction

The post soon went viral and received strong reactions online, with many calling the approach insensitive and unprofessional.

“Bank: you're not paying your EMIs... Me: EMI won't be paid today. I'm not calling it a delay anymore, it's a patience building initiative. Just today, I learnt this from the brightest of minds,” a user joked.

“Why aren't there laws for this. You can't accept people coming late to work or taking "given" leaves. But you can delay their salary in the name of patience building,” another noted.

“This email is so ignorant... what about those who have to pay rent, emi, loans and what not,” a third expressed.