‘Corporate ka cobra hai tu’: Employee allegedly edits Rs 4 LPA payslip, lands Rs 12 LPA offer; internet calls it the ‘ultimate corporate move’

A single viral social media post has once again pushed job switching and salary negotiations into public discussion. What began as a simple Instagram screenshot has now become a widely talked-about topic online, with users reacting strongly and sharing completely different opinions. The post has triggered debate around hiring practices, salary expectations, and how companies and candidates approach job offers today.The discussion started after an Instagram influencer shared a screenshot of a message sent by an unknown person. The message described a job switching experience involving salary changes and offer letters.In the message, the individual claimed that he edited his salary slip while applying for a new job. The text shared in the post read: “Bhaiyya maine payslip edit karwake 4 lakh ki salary ko 7 bana di… company ko bola 20% hike chahiye to jump… unhone 8.5 ka offer letter diya… ye offer letter dikhake maine ek aur company ka interview crack kiya aur finally 12 ka offer aaya hai.”After the post went viral, it quickly received mixed reactions from users. One user wrote, “This is so unethical! Please provide the editor number.”Another user raised concerns about salary history being used in hiring and said: “Meaning the company had the capacity to pay that salary for the same role. Then why should salary history be the reason for exploitation? Hence, it should be mandatory for HR to never ask salary history and disclose their pay band during hiring process.” As the conversation continued, the focus shifted from the viral message to wider workplace practices. Several users defended the situation described in the post and pointed to industry norms.One comment stated: “He cleared the interview and these people thought he was worth that much and so they offered it? why is it unfair when the industry isn’t fair to begin with?”Another user added: “Nothing is wrong for private companies….for the pressure they give against salary.”Some users also focused on skills, hiring budgets, and salary jumps. One user said: “Company had a budget, guy had skill; why this guy is crying. If he was able to crack a job with 300% hike then obviously he was underpaid and exploited. Why does last salary matters? And on what basis this clown is declaring that candidate didn’t learn new skills.”The post also saw supportive reactions from some users who praised the outcome mentioned in the message.“This man is a LEGEND,” one user commented.At the same time, the discussion also expanded into broader concerns about salary gaps and corporate pay structure. One user stated: “I would argue underpaying employees while CEOs enjoy 50 times the salary of the average employee in their company AND bonuses while not even putting one fourth of the hours is ethically wrong.”Disclaimer: The viral claims and reactions mentioned in the article are based on social media posts and user comments circulating online. The Times of India has not independently verified the authenticity of the message, salary details, or the claims made by the individuals involved. Thumb image: Instagram/Anmol Garg