Pepperfry has gone viral for its unusually candid and sarcastic job posting for a Social Media and Video Production Intern. Steering clear of the usual polished corporate language, the company opted for a brutally honest and humor-laced listing that clearly spelled out the types of candidates they weren’t interested in. The result? A job post that stood out from the crowd. The listing boldly began with “Wanted” and quickly laid down its no-nonsense tone, “We are looking for a Social Media and Video Production intern who does not show up at 11:47 AM clutching a matcha tea, who at least reads the emails, and ideally refrains from using words like SUS and NO CAP in Emails. Someone who remembers to come back after the lunch break, doesn’t expect a gold star for completing basic tasks, and doesn’t behave like showing up to work is a personal favour to the company. PS: Has an alarm clock. That actually works.” The ad sparked a wave of online reactions, including strong support from filmmaker Heaven Forester, who voiced his approval on LinkedIn. Applauding Pepperfry for its upfront approach, he wrote, “Ah!!! Finally, somebody is saying it out loud. I just want to congratulate Pepperfry for this bold #jobhiring post!” When asked if the ad was an attack on Gen Z, Forester didn’t hold back. He acknowledged that it was — and didn’t see an issue with that. “And what’s the problem with it? If the integrity and work ethics of a whole generation are not up to the mark, people call it out. Oh, you’re Gen Z and you have a problem? Find a company that tolerates your sloppy work standards and work for them. Don’t expect it from all companies!” Responding to those who labelled the post unprofessional, Forester dismissed the claim as irrelevant, stating, “Professionalism is all about setting the right expectations and inviting applications from the right candidates.” He also addressed the concern that rigid environments stifle creativity, asserting, “Creativity without basic discipline is like a pressure cooker without that little weight we put on top of the stem vent. Without it, we can’t damn cook!” The ad became a hot topic online, with many praising it for reflecting real workplace frustrations. One user said, “This is epic!! You’ve basically put into words what so many of us are facing regularly!!! Guts boss!!!” Another added, “Love the ad. An accurate explanation of how this generation takes their roles lightly. It’s actually true. They don’t know how to work and justify it with so-called boundaries.” “Summing up the real struggles of hiring these days,” someone else commented. But not everyone was on board. Several users felt the tone was harsh and dismissive of Gen Z. One person argued, “Just because you’re an employer and one gen has learnt to set boundaries and you cannot enslave them, you cannot be this mean. I am not a Gen Z. But what I know is they are the next gen, and they are more straightforward than us, maybe a smarter generation. You are just proving your incapability of failing to work with them.” Another wrote, “Good luck hiring or retaining any creative employees with this attitude.” A third chimed in, “Tone deaf – out of touch – condescending. This is what happens when brands try too hard to be funny.” Pepperfry, founded in July 2011 by Ambareesh Murty and Ashish Shah, is a leading online platform for furniture and home décor — and now, it’s the center of an internet-wide debate on hiring, hustle culture, and generational work ethics.