The Reality of a Toxic Work Environment : My Experience

In today’s professional world, a healthy work environment is essential for productivity, creativity, and overall well-being. Unfortunately, not every workplace fosters these values. I want to share my experience working in an extremely toxic environment, hoping it sheds light on the harsh reality that many employees silently endure.

About the Workplace

The company is a Singapore-based fintech startup with an office in an incubator in Indiranagar, Bangalore. The founder micromanages every employee alongside the HR team. He deliberately avoids hiring experienced professionals, ensuring that all employees are under 28, making them easier to control while demanding exceptional results at lower salaries.

About Myself & the Work I Do

I am a 25-year-old Product Designer with a Bachelor’s degree in Visual Arts & Graphic Design. My expertise spans UI/UX design, graphic design, web design (Framer & Wix), marketing, and advertising. Over the years, I have worked as a Graphic Designer, Marketing Manager, and currently as a UI/UX Designer.

One of my biggest weaknesses is saying yes to anything I have the skills to do, regardless of whether it falls within my job responsibilities. I genuinely love designing—not just as a job, but as a passion that helps me escape personal struggles. The more time, energy, and attention to detail I invest in my work, the happier I feel.

At this startup, I am not just a Product Designer—I am the only designer. My salary is 4.9 LPA, with no additional benefits (no insurance, only 18 days of leave per year, no bonus, no appraisals, and no remote work option even in emergencies).

I have single-handedly designed the UI/UX for the company’s mobile apps (iOS & Android) and built responsive fintech web dashboards for both the startup and its partners, covering both client and admin portals. I have handled branding for two of the company’s offerings—not just logo design, but full-scale branding, including corporate identity, advertisements, and collaterals. Additionally, I have designed websites for the startup and one of its partners, created marketing strategies and collateral for social media and advertisements, developed various reports (invoices, fintech-related data reports, investor decks, pitch decks, video editing, posters, etc.), and trained six interns.

Despite the overwhelming workload and tight deadlines, I have never once complained. I have sacrificed sleep and my social life to ensure that I always deliver on time. I have always taken my responsibilities seriously—not because I had to, but because I love what I do.

Unrealistic Work Demands & Exploitation

One of the biggest challenges I face is the expectation to work beyond reasonable hours without additional compensation. Indian labor laws cap working hours at 48 per week, yet I am frequently forced to work overtime without extra pay—sometimes from 9 AM to 8 PM. If I am late the next day, even by a few minutes, I risk salary deductions. In extreme cases, I have had to stay overnight at the office and return to work the next morning, or my pay would be cut.

There is also no consideration for emergencies. If more than two people take leave simultaneously, we face Loss of Pay, regardless of the reason.

One particular incident still haunts me. I was on a planned 10-day leave in Kerala, spending time with my family, when I received a call from the Product Manager while watching a movie. Since I was the only designer, I assumed it was an emergency and answered. Upon learning where I was, the founder instructed HR to call me back to the office because I was “not doing anything important.” They asked me to return early from my leave. I politely declined, explaining that I had planned this leave for a year. The founder himself then called me and ordered me to come back, stating that my presence was required in the office rather than “wasting time watching movies.”

The irony? The only reason I was at that movie was because my mother, who had undergone a hip replacement surgery, was bedridden for a long time. She hesitated to go out, ashamed of needing my brother and me to support her while walking. I wanted to show her that we were proud to be by her side, so I took her to that movie.

Workplace Harassment & Verbal Abuse

A toxic work environment isn’t just about excessive workload—it’s also about how employees are treated. I have faced public humiliation, constant yelling at close proximity, and degradation in front of colleagues on a regular basis. Constructive criticism is replaced with belittlement, and any attempt to stand up for myself is met with hostility.

The founder has learned that he can get any task done by pressuring and micromanaging us.

One particular incident made me furious. There was a data issue that resulted in an incorrect net worth calculation for a client. The client sent a complaint email, shocking the founder early in the morning. That day, the person responsible for data quality and testing was running late. I entered the office just five minutes late, and the founder immediately started yelling at me, cornering me, and shouting non-stop.

I was completely baffled and told him, “I’m only a designer. Why are you yelling at me over a data issue that I have nothing to do with?” The HR discreetly gestured for me to keep quiet, so I did. Later, the HR explained that the client’s email had frustrated the founder, and since the actual responsible person wasn’t there, he took his anger out on me.

Salary Withholding & Unfair Deductions

A salary is a basic right, yet there have been instances where unjustified deductions were made without any prior discussion. The founder frequently threatens to withhold salaries if unrealistic expectations are not met.

Lack of Respect for Personal Boundaries

Taking leave—even for health reasons—is frowned upon. Instead of understanding, I am criticized for not being “dedicated enough.” I was even asked to submit my medical reports, including simple blood test results, to HR for justification. If the company were covering my medical expenses, I would understand—but this was purely for verification. When I expressed discomfort, my concerns were dismissed, and I had no choice but to comply.

The work environment often feels like a primary school, where talking or laughing can result in seat changes, and “even the walls have ears.”

The Psychological & Physical Toll

This environment has severely impacted my mental health. The constant stress, anxiety, and lack of appreciation have led to burnout. My physical health has also deteriorated due to excessive working hours, lack of breaks, and the mental strain of a hostile workplace.

The Need for Change

Employees are not machines. Productivity does not come from fear and pressure but from a culture of respect, recognition, and support.

To those experiencing similar situations—know your rights, document everything, and prioritize your well-being. No job is worth compromising your mental and physical health.

Organizations must acknowledge and eradicate toxic work cultures. Employees deserve workplaces that foster growth, respect, and fairness.

Current Update

I have resigned and am currently serving my 60-day notice period—which, for me, is nothing short of hell on earth. The attitudes of the founder and HR have completely changed, and I am being subjected to mental harassment and unreasonable working hours.

I received an offer from a US-based analytics company, MathCo, for 10 LPA (a 50% hike), with all the benefits I could only dream of—including insurance that covers my entire family. However, MathCo can only wait 45 days, while my current employer refuses to release me early.

Since I have no savings to buy out my notice period (as the sole breadwinner for my family), I am forced to stay. I fought hard, even begging MathCo to extend their waiting period from 20 days to 60, but their requirement is urgent.

So here I am—enduring everything thrown at me for choosing a better opportunity, staring at the offer letter, telling myself, “Maybe this isn’t for me. Maybe I don’t deserve this.”

But I remind myself—I keep my head high while he yells at me, I don’t have the guts to talk back or to confront him because I have seen the founder as a mentor and had huge respect, he trusted in me without any guarantee or prior experiences on running the whole design branch all alone.