Tears in the Workplace: Indian Techie Reveals Toxic Culture at Startup

A Redditor shares emotional struggles of long hours, lack of guidance, and verbal abuse from leadership in a startup environment.

December 22, 2024: Indian Techie Exposes Toxic Startup Culture: Long Hours, No Training, and Verbal Abuse
A Redditor has opened up about the toxic work environment at an Indian startup, shedding light on long hours, lack of proper training, and a culture of verbal abuse. The post, which has since gained significant attention, reveals the harrowing experience of an employee who faced humiliation and was reduced to tears during a Google Meet session.

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The employee accused one of the company’s co-founders, who also acts as the tech lead, of regular verbal abuse. The techie detailed how the mistreatment left him emotionally overwhelmed. “I cried on Google Meet in front of the tech lead. I do not know how to face it now,” the title of the post read.

In his account, the Redditor explained that the startup environment required employees to endure 12-15-hour shifts without adequate guidance or training. During one particular meeting, when the employee pointed out the lack of clear instructions for a project, he was met with harsh words and humiliation. “I couldn’t hold my tears and started crying. I was not in the mental zone to work, so I told him I’m taking leave after a few hours,” he shared.

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The Reddit post has garnered over 700 upvotes and numerous supportive comments. Users rallied around the techie, offering empathy and advice.

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• “You don’t cry because you’re weak, but because you’ve been strong for too long. Crying is healthy,” one user wrote.
• Another commented, “Start looking for another job. No money is worth your self-respect.”

The post also sparked a discussion about the broader challenges within startup ecosystems in India, where employees often face exploitative work environments. One commenter suggested switching to established companies or freelancing to escape such toxic cultures.

Community Support for the Techie
The Reddit community was quick to provide solace, urging the employee to prioritize mental health and find a healthier work environment. Many highlighted that such behavior from leadership often worsens over time and recommended leaving the company for a more respectful workplace.

One veteran employer noted, “The day your manager disrespects you should be your last ‘mentally engaged’ day at that company. Respect and dignity are non-negotiable.”

Broader Implications
This incident has reignited conversations about work culture in Indian startups, with many urging for better regulations and accountability to protect employees’ well-being. Toxic work environments not only harm individual employees but also undermine the potential for innovation and growth within the organization.