A social media post by a technology professional has sparked widespread discussion online after they alleged that they were removed from an internship shortly after requesting a salary revision.

The individual shared their experience on social media under the title, “Fired from my internship over a single WhatsApp message”, claiming that they had joined a small startup as an AI engineer intern on a modest stipend. According to the post, the company had assured them that their compensation would be reviewed after three months based on performance.

The techie stated that they were responsible for handling most of the startup’s technical work during the internship period. Believing they had contributed significantly to the organisation, they decided to approach management regarding a possible increase in their stipend once the agreed review period had passed.

A message that led to an unexpected outcome

According to the post, the request for a pay hike was sent through WhatsApp. However, instead of receiving a response regarding the salary review, the intern allegedly received a message informing them that their services were no longer required.

The individual expressed disappointment over the decision, saying they had expected a professional discussion rather than an abrupt termination. Screenshots and details shared online quickly gained attention, prompting varied reactions from social media users.

Online users divided over the incident

The incident has generated mixed opinions across social platforms. While some users felt the intern had every right to discuss compensation after completing the promised review period, others argued that startups often face financial constraints and may not be able to meet such expectations.

Several users highlighted the importance of transparent communication between employers and interns, especially when salary reviews and future opportunities are discussed during recruitment.

The post has since reignited conversations about workplace culture, employee recognition, and how organisations handle discussions related to compensation and career growth