Zepto Delivery Boy Climbs 12 Floors After Lift Malfunction, Sparks Debate on Kindness and Gig Worker Conditions

A Zepto delivery rider’s dedication has sparked a heated discussion online after he climbed 12 flights of stairs to complete a grocery delivery when the building’s lift was out of order. The incident, shared on Threads, highlighted both the struggles of gig workers and the meaning of kindness in today’s fast-paced world.

The Viral Post

A Threads user recounted the experience, writing:

View on Threads

“Zepto delivery boy brought a big grocery delivery today morning. Only problem – lift out of order. So he climbed 12 floors. 12. And was panting when at my door. I gave him a good tip, which he genuinely refused. Twice. I forced it into his hands. Be kind. Have empathy. Reward gig workers when you can [sic].”

Despite being exhausted, the delivery worker initially declined the tip, only accepting it after insistence.

Mixed Reactions Online

The story sparked a debate on social media. While some praised the customer for tipping, others questioned whether real kindness would have been meeting the rider halfway or ensuring better working conditions for delivery workers.

One user criticized, “You couldn’t even walk downstairs… acting great just because you gave a tip.”

Another suggested, “Offering him a seat and giving him water would have been a better gesture.”

Some argued that kindness should extend beyond monetary tips, with one comment reading, “True empathy is understanding their struggle, not just compensating it with money.”

Others took a more systemic view, urging Zepto to introduce policies preventing deliveries above a certain floor without a lift or charging extra for such cases. “Walking up and down 12 floors is exhausting even without carrying anything. Companies should not rely on customer kindness to support their workers,” one user wrote.

The Bigger Picture

Beyond this single incident, the discussion shifted to broader concerns about the working conditions of gig workers. Many highlighted low wages, long hours, and job insecurity, emphasizing that tipping while appreciated is not a long-term solution. Instead, fair pay, better policies, and improved working conditions from companies like Zepto would make a real difference.