Zepto CEO Aadit Palicha Responds to ‘Toxic Culture’ Allegations
Aadit Palicha, the 22-year-old CEO of quick-commerce startup Zepto, has addressed claims of a “toxic work culture” within his company following an anonymous Reddit post by someone claiming to be a Zepto employee. The post accused the company of exploiting young employees, scheduling late-night meetings, and fostering an unhealthy work environment.
The Reddit user alleged that meetings were set at 2 AM because Palicha “cannot wake up early” and claimed employees worked 14-hour days. The post also suggested that Zepto’s operations included unethical practices, such as profiling customer data and app design patterns that charge higher fees based on the customer’s phone model.
In his response, Palicha acknowledged the unusual meeting times, attributing them to his own schedule. He stated, “The 2 AM meeting start time and 10 AM work start are due to the CEO’s schedule.” He also noted that Zepto’s preference for hiring younger workers stemmed from senior professionals’ reluctance to join such a culture.
I have nothing against work-life balance. In fact, I recommend it to all our competitors :)
— Aadit Palicha (@aadit_palicha) December 4, 2024
Palicha appeared to dismiss the broader criticisms, referencing another entrepreneur who had spoken about 84-hour workweeks, and quipped, “I have nothing against work-life balance. In fact, I recommend it to all our competitors.” While replying to his own tweet, he added: “FYI, not my quote – read it from an interview of Daksh Gupta”.
Daksh Gupta, CEO of AI startup Greptile, recently sparked intense online debate with his candid admission about the company’s high-pressure work culture. In a social media post, Gupta revealed that Greptile requires employees to work long hours, starting at 9 AM and often ending past 11 PM, including Saturdays and sometimes Sundays. While the transparency felt unconventional at first, Gupta believes it is essential to inform candidates upfront about the demanding environment.
Is Zepto the next Byjus? pic.twitter.com/kcD9E9xLJ8
— Aryan Trivedi (@AryanTrivedi_7) December 3, 2024
After the post went viral, receiving both criticism and applications, Gupta clarified his stance. He acknowledged the hardships faced by overworked tech professionals but defended Greptile’s approach, stating that it aims to attract those who thrive in such settings. Gupta explained that this gruelling schedule is a temporary phase, common in startups seeking “escape velocity” during their early growth stages.
He emphasised that Greptile’s model is not prescriptive or a long-term blueprint but tailored for its current stage. As the company matures, it plans to evolve its culture to accommodate a more balanced work environment, especially for experienced professionals with families. Gupta also addressed cultural criticisms, asserting that his work ethic stems from Silicon Valley norms rather than his Indian heritage.
now that this is on the front page of reddit and my inbox is 20% death threats and 80% job applications, here’s a follow up
– to everyone who is overworked and underpaid at their software jobs esp outside the US, i feel for you, and i’m sorry this struck a nerve. the people… pic.twitter.com/RzAM75DiG2
— Daksh Gupta (@dakshgup) November 10, 2024
Despite Palicha’s comments, he avoided addressing the more severe allegations, including data misuse and employee exploitation. Founded in 2021, Zepto’s rapid growth has drawn scrutiny over its internal practices. The company has yet to issue an official statement regarding the claims.
