A recent incident involving Srijan R. Shetty, co-founder of the fintech company Fuze Finance and an IIT alumnus, has stirred intense conversation across social media. The controversy began when a new hire backed out of his job offer just two days before his scheduled joining date. Shetty took to X (formerly Twitter) to share a screenshot of the email he sent in response to the candidate’s abrupt withdrawal.
In the now-viral post, Shetty explained that one of the engineers who was set to begin work had informed him over the weekend that he would no longer be joining the company. This unexpected change, he admitted, left him disheartened.
Although Shetty acknowledged that individuals are free to make choices that suit their personal goals, he emphasized that maintaining honesty and clarity during such transitions is equally vital. He added that even though he was unsure about publicizing the incident, he believed the message held important lessons on transparency and professional conduct.
Email Emphasizes Flexibility and Open Dialogue
In his message to the candidate, Shetty highlighted that the work environment at Fuze Finance encourages flexibility. Had the engineer communicated openly about receiving another offer, Shetty implied, there could have been a productive conversation instead of an abrupt cancellation.
Shetty pointed out that while the candidate is entitled to explore better opportunities in a competitive job market, the reasons provided for backing out didn’t quite sit right with him. Rather than outright refusing the role, Shetty noted, the individual could have initiated a discussion about their new offer. He indicated that the startup might have been willing to negotiate or accommodate had they been approached with honesty.
A Reminder on Professional Reputation
In the closing part of his email, Shetty issued a firm reminder that withdrawing from a commitment so close to the joining date can damage one’s professional image. He hoped that the individual would handle such situations differently in the future by practicing open communication and avoiding last-minute withdrawals.
Public Reactions: A Mixed Bag
The post prompted a range of responses on X. While some users appreciated Shetty’s stance on transparency, others sympathized with the candidate, pointing out the challenges of open dialogue in most professional settings.
One user acknowledged that Shetty's approach was rare, noting that in many companies, disclosing other ongoing interviews could lead to losing a job offer altogether. Another user agreed with Shetty's sentiment but highlighted how difficult it is for candidates to be completely open without risking their position.
Meanwhile, a user named Abbas supported Shetty, emphasizing that while offer-shopping is common, backing out at the eleventh hour—after having accepted a role—is ethically questionable. He stressed that once an offer is accepted, continuing to look for alternatives reflects poorly on the candidate’s integrity.
This incident has reignited discussions around professionalism, ethics, and the fine line between career growth and workplace responsibility.
As per his LinkedIn profile, Shetty is an alumnus of IIT Kanpur.
In the now-viral post, Shetty explained that one of the engineers who was set to begin work had informed him over the weekend that he would no longer be joining the company. This unexpected change, he admitted, left him disheartened.
Although Shetty acknowledged that individuals are free to make choices that suit their personal goals, he emphasized that maintaining honesty and clarity during such transitions is equally vital. He added that even though he was unsure about publicizing the incident, he believed the message held important lessons on transparency and professional conduct.
One of the engineers who was due to join today sent a message over the weekend that they won't join.
— Srijan R Shetty (@srijanshetty) July 7, 2025
Has very rarely happened, and I felt a bit let down.
I sent them across the following message.
I believe that everyone should optimise for themselves, but being honest about… pic.twitter.com/NmbyUF9J3N
Email Emphasizes Flexibility and Open Dialogue
In his message to the candidate, Shetty highlighted that the work environment at Fuze Finance encourages flexibility. Had the engineer communicated openly about receiving another offer, Shetty implied, there could have been a productive conversation instead of an abrupt cancellation.
Shetty pointed out that while the candidate is entitled to explore better opportunities in a competitive job market, the reasons provided for backing out didn’t quite sit right with him. Rather than outright refusing the role, Shetty noted, the individual could have initiated a discussion about their new offer. He indicated that the startup might have been willing to negotiate or accommodate had they been approached with honesty.
A Reminder on Professional Reputation
In the closing part of his email, Shetty issued a firm reminder that withdrawing from a commitment so close to the joining date can damage one’s professional image. He hoped that the individual would handle such situations differently in the future by practicing open communication and avoiding last-minute withdrawals.
Public Reactions: A Mixed Bag
The post prompted a range of responses on X. While some users appreciated Shetty’s stance on transparency, others sympathized with the candidate, pointing out the challenges of open dialogue in most professional settings.
One user acknowledged that Shetty's approach was rare, noting that in many companies, disclosing other ongoing interviews could lead to losing a job offer altogether. Another user agreed with Shetty's sentiment but highlighted how difficult it is for candidates to be completely open without risking their position.
Meanwhile, a user named Abbas supported Shetty, emphasizing that while offer-shopping is common, backing out at the eleventh hour—after having accepted a role—is ethically questionable. He stressed that once an offer is accepted, continuing to look for alternatives reflects poorly on the candidate’s integrity.
This incident has reignited discussions around professionalism, ethics, and the fine line between career growth and workplace responsibility.
As per his LinkedIn profile, Shetty is an alumnus of IIT Kanpur.
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