This Indore startup gave employees a Diwali week off. It got 250+ job applications
At a time when employees are questioning long working hours, rigid office rules and shrinking work-life balance, one Indore startup has found an unexpected way to attract talent: giving its employees time with their families.
Yash Kulshrestha, co-founder of digital marketing agency FeedBox, shared his company's Diwali holiday calendar on LinkedIn. The post went viral, and the response was striking. The company received more than 250 job applications within 24 hours.advertisement❮❯ Read Full StoryA DIWALI BREAK THAT GOT EVERYONE TALKINGFeedBox's calendar included sweets and gift distribution on November 4, work-from-home days on November 5 and 6, followed by holidays and a half-day break before employees returned to the office on November 11.
Employees could also request extended leave to spend more time with their families.
"Almost all our team members including me and Aayushi are from outside Indore. So, we get really less days every year to spend with our family," Kulshrestha wrote in his LinkedIn post.
The idea was simple: employees who have moved away from home should not have to spend most of their festival break travelling.
The company's approach also caught the attention of professionals online. While several praised the initiative, others questioned why such arrangements were considered exceptional, arguing that festival holidays and hybrid working should be normal workplace benefits.
The viral post brought more than appreciation. According to Kulshrestha, FeedBox received over 250 applications in a single day, from interns and freshers to operations heads and CXO-level candidates. He also gained around 16,000 LinkedIn followers.
The company plans to keep the applications for future hiring requirements, particularly as it continues to recruit video editors and AI editors. It may also speak to candidates willing to relocate to Indore.HOW DOES THE COMPANY MANAGE A WEEK-LONG BREAK?
Founded in 2019, FeedBox works with unicorns, listed companies and funded startups. Kulshrestha says the holiday arrangement is planned well in advance.
Clients are informed at least three weeks before the break, allowing the team to finish major deliverables beforehand. The company avoids taking on fresh assignments during this period, handling only urgent requests and minor revisions.
For Kulshrestha, this is not a one-time publicity exercise.
He says the company has followed the practice for years and intends to continue it even without the social media attention.
Perhaps the most interesting takeaway from the viral post is that a festival break, something employees should arguably be able to expect, became a recruitment advantage.- EndsRead | Udaipur startup gives employees a Diwali gift that puts their work fatigue firstRead | Is Diwali bonus taxable for salaried employees? Here's what you must know
