Stephen Viscusi: 25 Yr Old Open Letter to Yelp CEO

The Viral Letter That Sparked National Debate

An open letter from a 25-year-old employee to her company's CEO regarding her salary went viral, causing a heated debate between generations in the workplace. The story centers on Talia Ben Ora, a young worker who publicly expressed her financial struggles while working in a starter position at Yelp.

Financial Stress vs. The Adult Dream

Talia shared that her aspiration of owning a car, having a credit card, and living in her own apartment turned into a source of immense stress rather than success. Despite working, she claimed she was barely surviving on her income, which she estimated to be around $12 an hour.

Workplace Guru's Harsh Critique

Stephen Viscusi, a workplace expert and author, strongly criticized the letter, labeling it as "whiny" and "wimpy." He argued that this younger generation, specifically those aged 19 to 29, appears reluctant to pay their dues in the professional world.

Consequences of Public Shaming

Viscusi emphasized that public shaming of employers or young millennials is not an effective strategy for securing or maintaining a career. He noted that in Talia’s case, she believed one year in a customer service role was already too long, highlighting a potential issue with patience in career progression.

The Aftermath

Just hours after posting her grievances—which included the high cost of living 30 miles from work and managing a cell phone bill—Talia Ben Ora lost her position at the company in the San Francisco Bay Area.