A Reddit user shared their experience of having to quit their new job on the very first day due to unusual work requirements and hours, only to later discover it was a scam.

The individual was hired as a business development executive at a digital marketing company on October 7. However, by the next day, they reached out to the company’s HR to resign after learning they were expected to cold call 500 numbers, with work hours unexpectedly shifted from 2 PM-11 PM to 7 PM-4 AM.

“I regretted leaving that job because I wanted to gain corporate experience, and securing another job wasn’t easy, although I was earning and working as a freelancer,” the user explained.

A month later, the user received a call from the team leader, who congratulated them on quitting on the first day. When asked about the reason for the congratulations, the team leader revealed that he hadn’t received his salary for the first month because he failed to meet a target of $1,500 within 30 days.

He disclosed that the startup’s true intention was to have their employees work for a month, “torturing” them until they resigned, thus avoiding payment. Ironically, they had only one client paying $300,” the post mentioned.

Despite the setback, the user focused on developing their skills and freelancing. While I was regretting my decision, I began to work hard to enhance my skills and freelancing opportunities. I ended up earning twice what they offered me, though I lost money on my PG rent after living there for just five days, along with travel and shifting costs. Still, I’m thankful I escaped, and it motivated me to work even harder for my own success,” they stated.

The post elicited reactions from several Reddit users, with some sharing similar experiences and others calling for stricter labor laws. I just finished an internship at a SaaS startup, and they’re withholding my salary for two months as a Business Development Intern… I feel frustrated and like a loser,” one user commented.

We really need strict labor laws; companies like this should be held accountable for exploiting innocent people. I’m glad it didn’t happen to you,” another user added.

“You made the right choice, buddy. Sometimes it serves as a valuable lesson for us,” remarked another commenter.