A routine request turned unexpectedly controversial after an IT employee revealed that a Noida-based CEO compared the price of a coffee machine to hiring interns. The incident surfaced through a Reddit post, quickly sparking a wider debate on work culture and the value placed on young professionals.

According to the employee, a batch of newly joined interns—reportedly from “low-level Tier-1 and good Tier-2 colleges”—had just begun their training at the IT services firm.

As they settled in, they casually asked the CEO about setting up a coffee machine in the office. What followed left them stunned.

The CEO allegedly responded, “In 50,000, I can buy 2 interns. Why should I spend that much on a coffee machine?” The Reddit post, captioned “CEO purchases interns instead of coffee machine”, included screenshots that soon began circulating widely.

The remark triggered strong reactions online, with many users slamming the comparison as “dehumanising” and “symptomatic of toxic workplace culture.” Several commenters questioned the mindset that treats interns as replaceable or low-cost resources rather than future talent.

One Reddit user wrote, “Maybe the CEO prefers the revenue that comes from the interns.” Another commented, “No wonder we’re behind the US and China in tech. This is how we treat talent.”

A third added, “Being toxic or unethical may work temporarily, but it ruins companies and damages investors in the long run.”

The post reignited the conversation around how organisations treat interns—often underpaid or unpaid—while expecting full-time responsibilities.

It also raised concerns about a growing culture where cost-cutting and exploitation overshadow respect for young employees.