A social media post by an Indian job applicant has gone viral after revealing an unusual reason for rejection, where a company declined to proceed with the candidate not due to a lack of skills or experience, but because their previous workplace was located approximately 600 metres from the prospective office.
The applicant shared details of the incident on Reddit, stating that despite the recruiter appreciating their profile and experience, the application could not be taken forward due to the proximity of their current or previous employer, which was cited as a concern under the company’s confidentiality and data security policies.
The individual also shared a screenshot of the recruiter’s response, which referred to international management policies related to confidentiality and data security, stating that the decision was policy-driven and not a reflection of the candidate’s abilities. The post further noted that the company had measured the distance between the two offices, with the applicant expressing surprise at the specificity of the reasoning while also acknowledging the transparency of the response compared to more generic rejection messages.
Rejected because my previous company is only 600 meters away from their office ????
by
u/Mother-Charity-3369 in
IndianWorkplace
The post quickly gained traction online, drawing a wide range of reactions from social media users, many of whom expressed amusement and disbelief at the justification provided. Some users criticised the reasoning as outdated and reflective of a lack of trust in employees, while others questioned whether the company’s work warranted such stringent secrecy measures.
At the same time, a section of users defended the decision, suggesting that companies dealing with sensitive client data or proprietary information may adopt strict policies to minimise potential risks. Others noted that in a digitally connected environment, physical distance between workplaces may not significantly impact data security, arguing that the reasoning appeared inconsistent with modern working realities.
The incident has added to ongoing conversations around hiring practices and corporate policies, with the viral post highlighting how unconventional screening criteria can quickly attract public scrutiny in the age of social media.
First Published on May 17, 2026, 11:59:41 IST
