Workplace Harassment: A Bengaluru Ex-Employee’s Story
A shocking post on Reddit’s r/IndianWorkplace has sparked widespread empathy and outrage, as a former employee of a Bengaluru startup recounted a disturbing experience of alleged workplace harassment. The Reddit user, a prior Junior Data Scientist, narrated a complete emotional breakdown during a video call after suffering seven months of what they described as “unrelenting psychological abuse” from their CEO, an ordeal that resonated with many online.
Details of the Distressing Experience
The anonymous poster disclosed their account in a comprehensive post titled “I had a complete breakdown during a work video call because my CEO kept screaming – still dealing with the trauma.” They articulated a journey of joining the startup filled with optimism, only to undergo “psychological torture” at the hands of a CEO who lacked technical knowledge, yet micromanaged projects, set “unreasonable deadlines,” and reacted angrily over technical issues he did not understand.
The CEO’s Unreasonable Demands
The user remarked, “I’ll refer to the CEO as Satan himself because that’s truly how he felt – he had no technical experience… He would establish completely unreal deadlines out of nowhere… and then completely lose his composure when reality didn’t align with his fantasies.”
A Gruelling Work Schedule
In the course of seven months, they reported working 12–14 hour days even on weekends, taking only two sick days, while continuously facing daily verbal mistreatment. The breaking point arrived during a Google Meet call, where the CEO purportedly lashed out so intensely that the employee collapsed mid-call and had to be taken to the hospital by their mother. “The verbal assault was so severe that I literally couldn’t breathe properly… my chest tightened… and I completely collapsed in my chair,” they described.
Continued Harassment After Resignation
Even following their resignation, the user claimed that the harassment persisted, with HR allegedly framing their medical emergency as a “charity,” delaying essential paperwork, and derogating them over sick leave. “She suggested that providing my experience letter was a ‘gracious gesture’ on their part,” the post conveyed.
Support from the Reddit Community
The post soon attracted support from fellow Redditors. One commenter noted: “What you went through wasn’t merely a toxic job; it was psychological abuse. Sharing this experience requires immense bravery.” Another encouraged the poster to express their truth: “Name and shame, my friend… this won’t cease until it gains public and media attention.”
Subreddit Moderators’ Response
The moderators of the subreddit also recognised the gravity of the situation, stating, “We have revised our subreddit rules. Henceforth, people can name and shame organisations but not the bosses unless they are public figures of the caliber of Bhavish or Deepinder, etc.”
A Message to Others
The original poster ended their message with words of encouragement for others facing similar challenges: “To anyone presently ensnared in a comparable nightmare: your mental health is far more significant than any salary. Trust your instincts. If someone consistently makes you feel worthless, the issue lies with them, not you.”
