Employee asked for raise, was told to resign. Post on 'unbearable' abuse at mental health company goes viral

A post on the subreddit Indian Workplace highlighted the shocking experiences of a professional trapped in a deeply toxic work culture. The story, shared by a concerned friend, revealed how unhealthy, exploitative, and demeaning the environment had become for someone who held a respected role in the company.

Personal Attacks from the Top

The behavior of the boss was one of the most unsettling aspects. Instead of providing guidance or encouragement, the leader constantly passed remarks about the employee’s personality, physical appearance, and even their weight. The hostility went further when the boss expressed open disapproval of the employee’s marital status, going so far as to instruct them to design a plan to replace all married staff with “younger and modern” individuals. Even trivial personal choices, such as avoiding eyebrow threading, became targets of mockery.

Forced Tasks and Exploitation

Despite being a qualified psychologist with a senior position, the employee was treated as if their expertise held no value. They were ordered to make a hundred cold sales calls and send five hundred WhatsApp messages daily—tasks far outside their professional role.

"The work conditions were unbearable.." he wrote.

Adding to the distress, they were pressured to dismiss another therapist merely for raising reasonable concerns. Strict penalties were enforced for being ten minutes late, yet there was no recognition for working until late into the night. Benefits were nonexistent, and the atmosphere grew more unbearable each day.

Ideas Stolen and Dismissed

When the employee carefully documented innovative ideas in a file, another colleague claimed them as their own. Even after presenting evidence, the boss brushed it off, accusing the employee of exaggerating. To make matters worse, after completing a year, instead of receiving the promised raise, the employee was advised to resign.

Retaliation and Unpaid Dues

The toxicity escalated further when the boss dismissed the entire founding team simply for requesting what had been assured to them. The employee, despite leaving a month ago, is still waiting for their pending dues and final settlement.

The Irony of a “Mental Health” Company

What makes this account even more disheartening is that the organization in question claimed to work in the field of mental health, yet its own environment was riddled with practices that harmed well-being.