An Indian employee has come forward with a shocking story of workplace betrayal at a startup where they toiled for nearly three years. The employee, who joined as a fresher with a package of 7 LPA, shared on Reddit that a significant portion of their compensation was promised in the form of company shares, vesting after three years. However, this was later revealed to be a tactic to retain the employee, who ultimately felt exploited by a toxic employer.
The Redditor detailed how their salary, initially fixed at ₹50,000, was drastically reduced to ₹30,000 due to ‘performance-based’ deductions. Despite working extremely long hours, often 15-hour days and weekends, the employee remained with the company, hoping the promised shares would help clear a ₹5 lakh debt. The situation escalated when, just one month before the three-year mark, the employee was terminated for a minor infraction – delaying a high-priority task by an hour. The employee believes the true reason for their dismissal was the founder’s unwillingness to pay the promised 4 LPA in shares.
The story resonated deeply with Reddit users, many of whom condemned the startup’s management for its exploitative practices and unfair compensation. Common sentiments expressed included that this is indicative of a broader problem with startup culture in India, with some users advising the employee to pursue legal action against the company.
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