Job portal Naukri.com has been facing heat online after sending a WhatsApp text to a man’s phone who died in 2021. The text, from the company’s business account, said, was in response to his job application. What’s more, the job portal addressed him as “Hey Late Abhimanyu Patel”.
Patel’s widow, Shivani Pathak Patel, shared a screenshot of the insensitive message on LinkedIn and called out the company for the “extremely distressing” message.
‘Hey Late Abhimanyu Patel’ WhatsApp text
“I am writing to express my deep disappointment and concern regarding a message I received today addressing my late husband as ‘Hey Late Abhimanyu Patel’, in relation to a job application,” she wrote on LinkedIn. She explained that she had already informed the company multiple times since 2021 about her husband’s passing.
She added, “It is disheartening to see that your system continues to send automated messages without any human verification or consideration.”
Shivani also urged the company to implement better checks and sensitivity when communicating with applicants.
“It is disheartening to see that your system continues to send automated messages without any human verification or consideration. I sincerely urge you to put more responsible checks in place before sending such messages,” she demanded.
The message read: “Hey Late Abhimanyu Patel. We have received your Naukri.com application. To complete your profile, we need a few more details from you. Can we proceed?”
‘It’s their old practice’ – says the Internet
Many LinkedIn users slammed the company for sending such messages and demanded an apology. Some even tagged the company’s employees to look into the matter as a priority. They also urged the company to take immediate corrective action.
“It is their old practice,” claimed one LinkedIn user.
Another added, “Very insensitive. Will someone surely look into it, amend and apologise!”
“Extremely distasteful & poor CRM protocols. Sorry that you had to go through this, Shivani. I hope they take necessary steps toward sensitivity training; in fact, I feel all HR functions should too,” expressed a third.
A fourth commented, “This is ridiculous by Naukri. Totally unacceptable.”
“This is absolute bullshit in the name of automation. Pathetic. Is this the future everyone’s so excited about?” shared a fifth.