‘Yeh hi appraisal hai?’ HCL’s free metro move after Arijit Singh concert triggers online backlash

Corporate events often remain confined to office spaces, but occasionally, a single moment shared online can spark public discourse. 9 is precisely what happened after HCL Group’s 50-year celebration, where a company event and a post-event travel arrangement for employees started trending on social media.A milestone celebration quickly transformed into an online talking point, particularly after a widely circulated video from an employee.HCL Group recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, and the company organized a special event at its Noida campus to mark the occasion.As part of the event, employees attended a live performance by singer Arijit Singh. The celebration also included the presence of founder Shiv Nadar, along with Kiran Nadar and Roshni Nadar.The event was planned as a large gathering for employees to mark the company’s long journey. The discussion around the event began to grow after employees shared how they returned home following the late-night celebration.To support safe travel after the event, metro services were extended until 12:30 am for HCL employees. Entry was allowed by showing HCL ID cards, and employees did not need to purchase tickets.An employee named Ayush Singh shared his experience through a video on Instagram, which quickly went viral.In the video, he said, “These are all HCL employees and we have free entry and Metro access till 12:30. Like this is unbelievable, itni expectations nahi thi meri HCL se (I did not have this expectation from HCL),”He also added, “Aaj HCL walon ne Delhi Metro hi free kar diya hai… to be honest, this was the best part of the concert.”The video also showed the text, “Perks of being a tech guy at HCLTech.”As the video spread online, users reacted with mixed opinions. Some appreciated the arrangement, while others compared it with their workplace experiences.One user commented, “My company never provided me such services. They just provide us cab reimbursement for both sides.”Another wrote, “Not only Delhi Metro but also Noida Metro. Power of HCL Tech.”However, some users suggested different arrangements.A comment read, “They should have arranged a cab instead.”Another user said, “Ek concert dikha ke, work life balance ko bhula Diya.”There were also humorous reactions linking it to workplace rewards.One user wrote, “Ye hi appraisal hai bhai.”Another commented, “Appraisals mein adjust hoga yeh luxury treatment.”A further remark said, “Tabhi main sochu mera appraisal ka paisa kaha gaya to yaha gaya hai vo,” said another.What started as a company milestone event has now turned into a widely discussed topic on social media.From a live concert to extended metro access for employees, the celebration has sparked conversations about workplace experiences and employee convenience.As the video continues to circulate, the incident remains part of ongoing discussions around corporate events and employee engagement in large organizations.Disclaimer: This article is based on a viral video and reactions shared on social media. The authenticity of the clip could not be independently verified, and the views expressed by users are their own.Thumb image: Instagram