Bengaluru: A Bengaluru-based entrepreneur has ignited a discussion on workplace culture after revealing that he once turned down a job opportunity because the company’s founder arrived 40 minutes late for an interview and did not apologise for the delay.
Shikhar Saxena, founder of hiring startup Binary, shared the experience in a post on X, saying the incident left a lasting impression and influenced his decision to reject the offer.
Delay without apology raised concerns
According to Saxena, the interview was scheduled with a well-known founder, but he was left waiting for 40 minutes. What disappointed him most, he said, was that the founder neither acknowledged the delay nor apologised.
He explained that such seemingly small gestures often reflect a person’s leadership style and respect for others’ time. The absence of an apology, he believed, indicated a lack of empathy and professionalism.
Saxena added that he chose not to join the company because the incident felt like a warning sign.
Experience reinforced his decision
In his post, Saxena said he later heard negative accounts from people who had joined the organisation, reinforcing his belief that he had made the right decision.
“Not apologising or following up shows a severe lack of empathy, and it’s almost always a good idea to avoid such people,” he wrote.
Social media joins the debate
The post quickly gained traction on X, with many users agreeing that the interview process often reflects a company’s work culture.
Several users described the founder’s behaviour as a “red flag”, arguing that respecting a candidate’s time is a basic professional courtesy. Others suggested the delay without an apology appeared to be an unnecessary display of authority rather than a genuine oversight.
The discussion has reignited conversations around interview etiquette, leadership qualities and the importance of empathy in building healthy workplace cultures.