A recent incident at an Indian sneaker startup has drawn attention to the risks of weak internal systems. A newly-hired employee manipulated the company’s discount code system to generate 100 per cent discount coupons. Using these, he ordered shoes worth around Rs 2 lakh, distributed them among friends, and resigned within a week of joining.
When confronted, the employee reportedly returned part of the merchandise, but the rest had already been used. The company was left to absorb the financial loss and deal with the operational fallout.
The case quickly went viral online, with thousands reacting to the story. Many users expressed shock at the employee’s actions, while others highlighted the broader implications for startups. Beyond the immediate monetary loss, the incident forces small companies to adopt stricter monitoring and enterprise-level access controls earlier than expected. This shift can erode the culture of trust that young businesses often rely on to move quickly and scale.
Netizens noted that the real damage lies not just in the stolen goods but in the long-term overhead of treating employees as potential risks. Calls for naming and shaming the individual also surfaced, though the company has not disclosed his identity.
The episode underscores the importance of robust internal checks, even in small teams. For startups balancing growth with lean operations, it serves as a reminder that one bad hire can create financial strain, legal costs, and lasting changes to workplace culture.