Rain allowance? Delhi recruiter mocks job applicant's monsoon pay demand until his own cab bills shock him

When a Delhi recruiter sat across from a job applicant who wanted a “Rain Allowance”, he thought it was the most unusual demand he’d ever heard. Extra pay for monsoon months? Surely this guy wasn’t serious.

But as it turned out, the candidate wasn’t just pulling an excuse out of thin air, he had done his maths.

The applicant, being screened for a role, put his request upfront. Along with his salary, he wanted a little extra during the rainy season. His reason? Cab fares shoot up whenever the city is waterlogged or battling heavy downpours. He explained that surge pricing on Ola and Uber was draining his pocket.

He even gave the recruiter options:

• Let him work from home on rainy days, or
• Allow him to come in late, when fares were lower.

At first, the recruiter thought this meant the candidate wasn’t really committed to the job. But the man insisted, he was keen on the role, just not keen on paying double for his daily commute.

A Reality Check
The candidate then threw a challenge: “Check your own cab expenses for last month.” Out of curiosity, the recruiter did, and his jaw dropped.

He realised that in July, thanks to endless showers in Delhi-NCR, he had burned through his usual monthly cab budget in just 15 days. One morning ride had even cost him more than double the usual fare because it had rained the night before.

A City-Wide Problem

Anyone who’s travelled in Delhi during the monsoon knows the drill, the moment dark clouds gather, ride-hailing apps turn into luxury services. With clogged roads and traffic jams, drivers are scarce, and prices soar.

For many commuters, this isn’t just an inconvenience, it’s a real hit to their wallets.

Online Buzz
The recruiter’s Reddit post quickly went viral. Many users agreed with the candidate’s demand, saying companies should adapt to extreme weather.

“That’s a very fair ask. If you don’t reimburse cab fares, at least allow WFH during rains,” one commenter said.

Another added, “During monsoon, fares are way too high. Any kind of compensation or flexibility would help.”

One person even took it further: “WFH should be allowed during heavy rains and pollution spikes. No one wants employees turning up wet, coughing and spreading germs.”

Maybe He Wasn’t So Weird After All
What started as a “weird” request ended up highlighting a daily struggle for many city workers. And who knows, if Delhi’s rains keep playing havoc with cab fares, “Rain Allowance” might just become the next workplace trend.

Disclaimer: This article is based on a user-generated post on Reddit. ET.com has not independently verified the claims made in the post and does not vouch for their accuracy. The views expressed are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of ET.com. Reader discretion is advised.