Shantanu Deshpande highlights financial security as the primary driver for India’s workforce, while addressing systemic wealth disparity and workplace dissatisfaction.
January 8, 2025: Shantanu Deshpande, CEO of Bombay Shaving Company, recently sparked widespread discussion with his candid LinkedIn post about workplace culture and financial security in India. Deshpande suggested that most Indians continue to work not out of passion or fulfillment but purely for financial sustenance.
In his thought-provoking post, Deshpande wrote, “One of the tragic and late realizations I’ve had is – most people don’t like their jobs. If everyone in India was given sustenance money and financial security their current jobs provide them, 99% won’t show up to work the next day.”
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/shantanudeshpandebsc_one-of-the-tragic-and-late-realizations-ive-activity-7281291296890101761-DvI1?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktopHe went on to explain that this sentiment cuts across various sectors — from blue-collar workers and government employees to startup staff and entrepreneurs. Deshpande argued that the paycheck remains the “dangling carrot” driving most employees, likening it to a centuries-old cycle of labor exploitation that has become normalised.
The CEO also touched on the vast wealth disparity in India, pointing out that approximately 2,000 families control a substantial portion of the nation’s wealth while contributing less than 1.8% to the country’s taxes.
Expressing his concern over this inequality, Deshpande concluded his post by calling for kindness and responsibility among those with resources, urging them to “be kind and generous, and help lift as many people up as possible.”
The post has since ignited a heated debate online, with many applauding Deshpande’s honesty while others questioned the practicality of his observations.
Tags:
Work Culture, Employee Satisfaction, Financial Security, Bombay Shaving Company, Shantanu Deshpande, Wealth Disparity, Job Dissatisfaction, Indian Workforce, Corporate Responsibility
