He started at Rs 3 LPA, was laid off twice — now earns Rs 88 LPA. His biggest lesson: 'Don't wait for company to reward you and...'

He began his career earning just Rs 3 lakh a year, faced two layoffs, and switched seven jobs over 15 years. Today, he takes home Rs 88 lakh annually — and his biggest lesson isn’t about hard work or luck, but self-worth. A Reddit user shared how blind loyalty to a company nearly cost him his growth. He said he started his first job full of hope, believing that if he worked hard and stayed loyal, his company would take care of him. But five years later, despite doing everything right, his salary had only grown from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5.5 lakh.

Two layoffs later, he realised something most employees learn the hard way — companies aren’t families. They operate on costs and margins, not emotions. He said that being laid off broke him at first, but later became the turning point of his career. Each job switch gave him better pay, more skills, and new confidence.

The Redditor said that in India, many employees treat their company like family — skipping family dinners, sacrificing weekends, and staying loyal even when it doesn’t serve them. But when layoffs come, they arrive through a single email. That, he said, was his wake-up call.

Now earning Rs 88 lakh a year, he credits his success to one mindset shift — stop waiting for a company to reward you, and take charge of your own growth. He said working hard is important, but not at the cost of your real family or your peace.

Netizens react
Many users resonated deeply with the post, opening up about their own struggles with loyalty and career decisions. One user shared how they’ve been at their first job for eight years, in an old organisation with a comfortable environment and a supportive team. Even after receiving a 30% higher offer, they admitted feeling guilty about leaving, as if betraying their manager and colleagues. Yet, they reminded themselves that growth often means stepping out of comfort zones, even when it feels hard.

Another user urged people to think for themselves first, saying that staying back out of guilt is never worth it. They advised preparing for objections from managers and remembering that companies always find replacements — no one is truly irreplaceable, no matter how loyal they are.

Someone else shared a harsh personal experience to drive home the point. They recalled treating their manager like family — even bringing gifts from their hometown — only to be fired later over a minor, honest mistake. The incident, they said, shattered their trust and taught them that outside of family, everyone ultimately looks out for themselves.

A fourth user chimed in, agreeing completely and thanking a former teacher for drilling this mindset into them early on. They said that understanding how corporate life works helps avoid becoming a “corporate slave” who confuses loyalty with sacrifice.