Toxic Work Culture 

The primary issue—glorification of overwork, where long hours are often seen as a sign of dedication.

In many corporate environments, there’s a pervasive expectation to be available 24/7, which can blur the boundaries between personal and professional life. This is particularly common in fast-paced sectors like technology, startups, and finance, where employees are pressured to meet ambitious targets.

Toxic competition is yet another problem, with many employees reporting that office politics, favouritism, and internal rivalries can undermine collaboration and breed a stressful environment. The lack of transparent feedback and promotion processes often worsens this, leaving employees feeling undervalued and insecure.

The pandemic too has played its part and has brought new challenges.

The shift to remote work, while providing flexibility, has also created a “digital presenteeism” culture. Employees are expected to respond immediately to emails and messages, often late into the night. This constant connectivity has led to increased stress, mental exhaustion, and disengagement.

In response to these growing concerns, many employees are pushing back, demanding healthier work environments, better mental health support, and policies that promote work-life balance but what is the ground reality?

Reddit User’s Battle Against Unjust Termination in India Sparks Outrage

In recent times, Reddit has become a refuge for employees facing workplace struggles, with numerous subreddits dedicated to sharing job experiences, challenges, and grievances.

These online spaces have provided employees with a platform to voice their concerns and seek support, far from the ears of HR departments or management.

A recent post from a Reddit user, @Randy31599, has garnered significant attention, highlighting the growing issue of toxic work culture in India.

The story begins with a project manager who found themselves unjustly terminated by their Indian employer just one day after submitting their resignation due to serious health concerns.

To add insult to injury, the company allegedly threatened to sabotage the employee’s background verification (BGV) process, falsely claiming they had left the organization improperly.

As if that weren’t enough, the company demanded three months’ salary in exchange for issuing an experience certificate—essential for future employment prospects in India.

Shared by @Randy31599, the incident sparked an outpouring of sympathy and outrage within Reddit’s online community. Many users rallied behind the project manager, offering advice, legal suggestions, and support in the search for new employment, especially in Chennai, where the individual was based.

The Story Behind the Resignation

The user’s decision to resign was driven by deteriorating health and unbearable work pressure; he had been employed at the company for over eight months and had even received a raise, indicating his dedication and productivity.

However, the relentless pressure began to take a toll.

The Redditor revealed that they were diagnosed with fatty liver, and shortly thereafter contracted chickenpox. In need of just three days off to recover, he requested leave but was instead told by the company’s CEO to work from home.

In his weakened condition, he could only partially support the team.

With health rapidly declining, the employee requested an early release from the role, hoping the company would show empathy. However, the resignation was rejected, and he was ordered to continue working despite their worsening condition.

A Second Attempt Met with Indifference

After a second attempt to resign—this time following a severe accident that left his hand injured—the employee faced even greater resistance and despite the clear impact on their physical and mental health, the company refused to release them.

Instead, he was met with a shocking lack of compassion, further adding to the stress of an already difficult situation; taking two days off to process the ordeal, the employee hoped for a resolution but matters only worsened.

Termination and Threats Unfold
The very next day, the company sent a termination email and, in a move that many Reddit users called extortion, threatened to report the employee for leaving improperly during the BGV process.

Additionally, the company demanded a hefty three months’ salary to issue the employee’s experience certificate—an unethical practice that left many Redditors enraged.

The community was quick to react.

One user remarked, “This is unethical! You should consult a lawyer.” Another added, “It’s extortion. Report them!” Several others offered words of support, encouraging the employee to stand their ground against this gross mistreatment.

Startup Employee Claims She Was Fired for ‘Liking’ a LinkedIn Post on Toxic Workplaces

In another striking example of the growing concern over toxic work environments, a former employee of a mental health startup recently shared her story of being fired for simply ‘liking’ a LinkedIn post about toxic workplaces.

Her experience, shared anonymously on Reddit, quickly gained traction online, shining a light on the contradictions within corporate cultures, even those that focus on mental health.

The ex-employee, who remained anonymous, claimed that her termination was directly tied to her engagement with a LinkedIn post discussing toxic work cultures.

According to her, the work environment at the mental health startup was far from healthy, with constant hostility from her manager and questionable behavior from the CEO.

She expressed how the stress and emotional strain of the job took a significant toll on her mental health, often leaving her overwhelmed and in tears at work.

In her Reddit post, she explained, “The manager made my life a living hell at work. She was extremely hostile and acted clueless whenever the CEO was around.” She described the CEO as “a wolf in sheep’s clothing,” whose toxic leadership added to the already strained work atmosphere.

The emotional toll of the job was so severe that her distress became visible to her colleagues. “I used to cry in the office toilet. It was that bad,” she added, emphasizing the mental anguish she endured.

The Fallout From Liking a Post Sparks Termination

Things escalated when the CEO accused the employee of spreading misinformation about the company.

The alleged ‘offense’? Liking a LinkedIn post that criticized toxic workplace cultures.

The CEO reportedly confronted her, and without prior warning, terminated her from the company.

“I was let go because I liked a post on LinkedIn that talked about toxic workplaces,” she wrote in her post, explaining that she was accused of “spreading wrong things about the company.”

Viral Support and Backlash

The post quickly went viral, with hundreds of Reddit users expressing shock and support for the ex-employee.

One commenter, ‘WanderingPoet19,’ noted the irony of a mental health startup fostering a toxic environment, writing, “Mental Health Startup with a toxic work environment? Irony at its peak. That’s the harsh reality of the corporate world. They say you can speak up, but when you do, they build pressure on you to stay quiet.”

Another user, ‘Maxpro2001,’ expressed sympathy, stating, “Wow, talk about irony. This shouldn’t happen, especially not in a mental health company. I’m so sorry this happened to you.”

Some users saw a silver lining, with one remarking, “I’m sorry for you, but honestly, it feels like a blessing. I wonder what would have happened if you tried to quit.”

A Reflection of Broader Workplace Issues

These incidents only show the irony and hypocrisy often found within organizations that outwardly champion mental health and well-being but fail to foster healthy work environments internally.

The fact that the second story happened at a mental health startup is particularly jarring, exposing the disconnect between the values some companies project and their internal culture.

The story resonates with a larger conversation about toxic workplaces and how employees are increasingly using platforms like Reddit and LinkedIn to expose and challenge these practices.

As more employees come forward with stories like this, it’s clear that there is still much work to be done to create truly supportive and transparent work cultures.

Toxic Work Culture in India

These cases are not isolated incidents but rather a reflection of the toxic work environments that many employees in India continue to face.

Companies that prioritize output and revenue over employee well-being have enabled cultures where overwork, exploitation, and retaliation are rampant. The normalization of these practices can be seen in cases like these, where an individual’s genuine health concerns are dismissed and punished.

India’s work culture has been under the spotlight in recent years, with increasing reports of overwork, poor mental health, and unfair labor practices across various industries.

Employees, particularly in fast-growing sectors like tech and startups, are often expected to operate under immense pressure, and when they seek to prioritize their health or personal life, they may be met with retaliation.

Reddit, along with other social media platforms, has become a vital outlet for workers to share their experiences, with many users providing support and practical advice on navigating these challenges.

However, while online support is helpful, it does not always lead to accountability for the offending companies.

Time For A Change

These incidents have once again spotlighted the need for change in workplace practices in India.

Companies must recognize the importance of employee well-being, provide a supportive environment, and create policies that promote work-life balance.

At the same time, they must also ensure that resignations are respected, health concerns are addressed, and fair compensation practices are followed is crucial for fostering healthier work environments.

As India continues to grow as a global economic powerhouse, it must also take the lead in creating ethical workplaces where employees are treated with dignity, fairness, and respect.

While some companies in India are slowly starting to address these issues, the pace of change is still slow, and the overall culture remains demanding.

Addressing toxic work culture in India will require a broader shift in how success is defined—one that values employee well-being as much as productivity and profit.

This also involves creating supportive environments where employees feel heard, fostering collaboration instead of competition, and ensuring that work does not come at the expense of health and personal fulfilment.