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Gen Z Founder Creates Unconventional Workplace With Double Pay, Open Criticism

A Chandigarh-based startup founder has introduced an unusual management approach that combines financial incentives for off-day work with an open-door policy allowing employees to publicly critique leadership decisions.

LSN India · 1 October 2026

In a departure from traditional corporate hierarchies, the young entrepreneur has implemented policies aimed at fostering transparency and rewarding commitment among his workforce. The founder offers double salary compensation to employees who work during their scheduled days off, a measure he frames as recognition for personal time sacrificed for company objectives.

The unconventional approach extends to workplace culture, where the founder has actively encouraged staff to voice criticism and challenge his decisions directly. This open feedback mechanism represents an attempt to flatten organizational structures and create what he describes as a more authentic working environment.

The initiative reflects broader shifts in how emerging business leaders approach employee engagement and retention, particularly within India's startup ecosystem where younger founders often seek to differentiate their companies through distinctive workplace practices. The approach challenges conventional wisdom about hierarchy and authority in Indian corporate settings.

While such policies may appeal to workers seeking more participatory work environments, their long-term sustainability and effectiveness in scaling remain to be tested as the organization grows. The model highlights ongoing experiments within India's startup sector around balancing financial incentives, workplace autonomy, and organizational structure.