A video from HCLTech's 50th anniversary celebrations in Chennai has gone viral after employees were heard chanting "We want hike" as CEO C. Vijayakumar walked onto the stage, as reported by multiple media reports.
The incident reportedly took place during a private event organised exclusively for employees as part of the company's golden jubilee celebrations.
HCLTech has been hosting a series of events and concerts across multiple cities to mark the milestone, with the Chennai edition featuring a live performance for employees.
Unexpected chants
The now-viral clip begins with a large image of Vijayakumar displayed on the venue's main screen before he makes his entrance. As employees cheer his arrival, a section of the audience starts chanting, "We want hike!"
The chants grow louder as the CEO greets employees, creating an unexpected moment during what was intended to be a celebratory event.
The video quickly gained traction on X and other social media platforms. It soon sparked wider conversations around employee pay, workplace culture and salary expectations across India's IT sector.
Social media divided
The incident drew mixed reactions online.
Some users viewed the chants as a reflection of growing frustration over salary hikes. Others argued that such concerns should have been raised through formal internal channels rather than at a company event.
One user criticised the employees, writing, "If this were Elon Musk he would have told these brats on stage to “take a hike!" . This Gen Z is really spoilt – do they think this is Jantar Mantar where they can do their stunts?"
Another user backed the employees' actions, saying, "Yea, now thats the only way to be heard by your employer whose leadership sits on a pile of money and gives the petty employees just a handful."
A third user acknowledged the frustration but questioned the approach. The comment read, "Which is the worst thing, has to be addressed in a proper channel. Agree that they are in frustration."
Another person questioned corporate priorities, writing, "Employees should be given proper hike instead of founders donating lots of money charity when your own employee who had worked is not paid off."
Meanwhile, another user criticised the employees' conduct, commenting, "It shows the lack of professionalism of the employees. If they have skill find better paying job."
A wider debate
The episode has reignited debate around employee compensation, workplace communication and workforce expectations in India's technology sector.
It also highlights how internal workplace moments can quickly become public conversations, placing organisational culture and leadership under greater scrutiny.