Internship Turns Into Pay Dispute as Student Alleges Broken Stipend Promise, Excessive Workload, Sparks Debate Online

According to the Reddit post, the student joined a company as a Marketing Executive Intern on June 8, 2026. At the time of joining, the company allegedly committed to paying a monthly stipend of Rs 10,000. The student, currently in the fourth year of college, said the company had been informed before the internship began that he would be able to attend the office only three days a week until July 17. According to the intern, the company accepted this condition without objection.

Despite the agreed arrangement, the student claimed that he worked almost every day throughout the internship. He said he frequently worked on Sundays and also completed multiple remote assignments from home. Although official office hours were scheduled from 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., the intern alleged that he regularly remained at work until 7:30 p.m. and, on several occasions, as late as 9:00 p.m.

The student further alleged that additional assignments were routinely given after official working hours and that he was required to perform responsibilities beyond the scope of his designated role. He also stated that he travelled approximately 30 kilometres every day, spending nearly three hours commuting. According to the post, the internship offered little opportunity to develop new skills and instead became physically exhausting.

The situation escalated on July 5 when the student's stipend was credited to his bank account. Instead of the expected Rs 10,000, he received only Rs 5,000. When he questioned his manager about the reduced payment, he was allegedly informed that the deduction was made because he had not attended the office regularly. The intern disputed this explanation, arguing that he had worked consistently, including completing assigned tasks remotely. Based on the company's own payment cycle, he claimed he was entitled to at least Rs 7,500.

The student said he is now uncertain whether to continue with the internship or resign. He explained that the lack of learning opportunities, combined with the demanding workload, had left him frustrated. According to his post, he would consider staying only if the stipend were increased by Rs 2,000. Otherwise, he intends to leave the organisation.

At the same time, the intern expressed concern about possible consequences for his future career. He claimed that the recruiter is influential and feared the individual could create obstacles during upcoming campus placement drives, prompting him to seek advice from Reddit users.

The post quickly gained attention, with many users advising the student not to remain in a company that allegedly failed to honour its initial commitment. One user commented that if the organisation employed fewer than ten people, the intern should leave immediately, adding that the recruiter would have limited influence beyond possibly affecting a campus placement drive. The commenter also advised the student to discuss the issue with the company's management, demand appropriate payment and begin searching independently for entry-level marketing opportunities if the company refused to resolve the matter.

Another user described the incident as a scam by a startup, stating that the alleged treatment reflected how the organisation handled its employees and urging the intern not to tolerate such practices.

A third user advised the student to remind the company of its original agreement instead of requesting a higher stipend. The commenter noted that the company had already accepted the condition regarding office attendance and therefore should honour the promised payment. The user also recommended obtaining all employment terms in writing in future internships and suggested that leaving the company would not significantly harm the student's long-term career prospects if the organisation failed to uphold its commitments.

The incident has reignited discussions about internship practices, workplace transparency and employer accountability. The student's experience has resonated with many online users, highlighting growing concerns over whether companies are fulfilling commitments made to interns and whether young professionals are receiving fair treatment during the earliest stages of their careers.