A dream job, a 60% salary hike and a chance to join a top company can disappear in a matter of days if your notice period does not match the employer's hiring timeline. That is the message behind a viral social media post by Bengaluru-based Chartered Accountant Meenal Goel, who highlighted how lengthy notice periods may quietly cost professionals career opportunities, higher earnings and even peace of mind. The post has sparked a wider debate about whether long notice periods protect companies or end up hurting employees instead.

Bengaluru CA Meenal Goel shared on social media that her friend recently lost a Rs 40 lakh job offer because his notice period lasted two months while the hiring company needed him to join within four weeks. According to her post, the opportunity was his dream role and offered a 60% salary increase. However, the offer was withdrawn after the timelines failed to align. When he requested an early release from his existing employer, he was told that company policy required a proper handover and that the full notice period had to be served.

Using the incident as an example, Meenal Goel argued that the real cost of long notice periods extends far beyond the time spent waiting to switch jobs. She pointed out that employees often lose opportunities simply because hiring timelines do not match, while spending nearly two months in a workplace they have mentally outgrown can take a toll on their well-being.



She also said long notice periods can strain relationships with prospective employers who are forced to wait longer than planned. In addition, every job switch delays the start of a higher salary, slowing overall income growth throughout a career. Meenal Goel further highlighted what she believes is a workplace double standard. According to her, companies may let employees go within a couple of weeks, but employees are often expected to remain for two months before leaving.

She also estimated the long-term financial impact of extended notice periods. Assuming five job switches during a career, each delayed by two months, an employee effectively postpones 10 months of higher earnings. At an annual salary of Rs 30 lakh, she calculated that this could amount to nearly Rs 25 lakh in delayed income.


According to Meenal Goel, knowledge transfer rarely requires the full notice period. She argued that while companies may believe longer notice periods help retain organisational knowledge, they often end up creating resentment among employees who have already decided to move on. Ending her post, Meenal Goel asked social media users whether they had ever lost a career opportunity because of a long notice period, prompting many professionals to reflect on their own experiences.