‘Heart attack and an uncertain future': Employee shares how working with an Indian startup left him with a 'damaged heart'
toxic work environment
at an Indian startup not only took a toll on their mental health but also led to a massive heart attack, leaving them jobless and facing an uncertain future.
The post began with the worker explaining how, despite recognizing early warning signs, they had no choice but to join the company due to the difficult job market. 'Here's my story - two decades working with US/European companies taught me what healthy work culture looks like. Last year, I ignored every red flag and joined an Indian startup as I had no other options after being laid off,' they wrote.
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From just the second week, issues became evident. The employee recounted experiences involving fabricated revenue figures, demanding work hours from 11:30 am to 2 am, and abusive leadership, stating, 'The signs were there from week two — fudged revenue numbers, megalomaniac founders, 'always-on' expectations from 11:30 am to 2 am daily. Classic toxic Indian workplace - gaslighting, nepotism, impossible clients, zero respect.'
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The relentless pressure and mistreatment at work reportedly eroded the employee's emotional well-being and values. 'The daily pressure of work and the disrespect at the workplace 'chipped away' at their 'sanity, ethics, and self-respect,'' they noted, adding that 'Depression crept in as the founders' failures made them increasingly abusive to employees.'
Eventually, they made the decision to resign, but the consequences had already begun to show. 'Within a few weeks: massive heart attack. Two emergency stents. Doctors said 30 minutes more would've been fatal.'
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Now recovering at home, the employee reflected on their experience with regret. 'Now I'm home — jobless, damaged heart, uncertain future. Was that monthly salary worth permanently destroying my health? Hell no.'
They concluded the post with a message for others feeling trapped in similar environments: 'There's always a choice,' and advised against sacrificing well-being for 'financial security.'
Social Media Reactions
The emotional post struck a chord with many people online, who began sharing similar stories and words of support.
One user commented, 'I can understand ...I am in the same boat, but not me, my husband got two heart attacks, three stents, at the age of 31. He was made to sit at home, so I left my job for caregiving. It's not just in IT but in every field. He's in the hotel industry. Joining back is still a stressful job, and every visit to the doctor is still a nightmare with new issues.'
Another wrote, 'Get well soon. You certainly did not deserve the disrespect and mental torture. But it's a great lesson to get away from egotistical founders who think they are the gangsters of the business world. I worked at one such firm, and my health went downhill.'
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