Anupam Mittal has sparked a discussion on employee compensation after suggesting that companies should pay salaries twice a month instead of following the traditional monthly payment cycle.
The entrepreneur and investor shared his thoughts on LinkedIn, arguing that more frequent salary payments could help employees manage their finances better and reduce unnecessary stress caused by delayed cash flow.
Why Anupam Mittal Wants a Change
In his LinkedIn post, Mittal pointed out that many companies promote employee-friendly benefits such as flexible leave policies, free meals, and remote work options. However, he believes one important benefit often gets overlooked — the timing of salary payments.
According to him, most companies pay salaries on the first week of the next month, while some release payments on the first day of the month. If weekends or holidays intervene, employees may have to wait even longer to receive their earnings.
Mittal said that this delay can create real financial challenges for many people.
Shaadi.com Changed Its Salary Payment System
The founder revealed that a few years ago, Shaadi.com decided to change its salary payment structure.
Instead of paying employees in the following month, the company started releasing salaries at the end of the current month.
Mittal explained that the decision was not introduced as a special employee perk. Rather, he viewed it as a practical and sensible approach.
He noted that while a delay of a few days may seem insignificant to some, it can create serious difficulties for others. Missed EMI payments, rent-related issues, uncomfortable financial conversations, and time spent resolving avoidable problems can all result from delayed salary credits.
“Cash Flow Is Dignity”
Mittal emphasized that regular cash flow is closely tied to financial stability and peace of mind.
According to him, most working professionals value timely access to their earnings because it helps them manage recurring expenses without stress.
He described cash flow as a matter of dignity, suggesting that employees should not have to worry about whether their salary will arrive in time to meet important financial commitments.
Proposal: Salaries on the 15th and 30th
Taking his idea further, Mittal proposed that companies should consider paying employees twice every month — once on the 15th and again on the 30th.
He acknowledged that payroll teams may initially find the system more demanding. However, he argued that modern technology has made payroll processing much easier than it was in the past.
As a result, he believes implementing two salary cycles each month should not be a major challenge for most organizations.
Benefits for Employees and the Economy
Mittal also highlighted the broader economic impact of improved salary frequency.
He suggested that better cash flow can reduce employee stress, lower dependence on short-term debt, and help people manage their expenses more effectively.
Furthermore, he believes that when employees have money available more regularly, consumer spending increases. This can improve economic activity and potentially contribute to overall growth.
According to Mittal, the change would create benefits for employees, businesses, and the economy alike.
Calling for an End to an Outdated Practice
The entrepreneur concluded by questioning whether companies should continue following what he described as a “British-era” next-month salary payment system.
He encouraged business leaders and HR teams to rethink traditional payroll structures and explore payment models that better align with the financial realities of modern workers.
Who Is Anupam Mittal?
Anupam Mittal is one of the most recognizable investors on the popular business reality show Shark Tank India. He has served as a judge since the show’s first season.
Mittal began his entrepreneurial journey with Sagaai.com in 1997. The platform was later rebranded as Shaadi.com in 1999 and went on to become one of India’s leading matrimonial websites.