A shocking Reddit post has ignited nationwide outrage after a former Junior Data Scientist exposed a harrowing account of psychological abuse by the CEO of a Bengaluru-based startup. The post, titled “I had a complete breakdown during a work video call because my CEO kept screaming – still dealing with the trauma”, details a descent into emotional devastation that ended in a hospital emergency.
The anonymous employee, who held the position in 2024, wrote that the company’s CEO subjected him to relentless micromanagement, constant verbal abuse, and unrealistic expectations. Over seven months, this treatment pushed the young professional to his breaking point. The Reddit post went viral not only for its graphic recounting of workplace trauma but also for how it exposed deeper, systemic flaws in India’s startup work culture.
Constant Pressure, Zero Empathy
According to the former employee, the CEO lacked any technical background yet insisted on acting as a data science expert. He demanded daily updates with immaculate precision and zero tolerance for any flaw. The employee described how he had to explain his work in detail, often to someone who couldn’t grasp basic concepts but still used his ignorance as a weapon to belittle and insult.
The CEO’s pattern of communication quickly became aggressive and unprofessional. “If he didn’t understand something, he’d start shouting—sometimes insulting my intelligence, sometimes making it personal,” the post read. “There was no safe space, no moment of calm.”
The CEO reportedly bypassed all managerial structure, making the employee report directly to him, which eliminated any buffer that could have shielded the young data scientist from daily hostilities. Over time, the stress compounded. With no team protection and no system for conflict resolution, the pressure began to affect his physical health.
The Breakdown
The tipping point came a week after the employee submitted his resignation. Instead of respecting the notice period with basic civility, the CEO intensified his aggression. During one particularly vicious Google Meet call, the CEO’s rage spiraled out of control. He screamed at the former employee for over twenty minutes, hurling insults and questioning his value as a professional and a person.
The emotional weight crushed the employee in real time. Struggling to breathe, he collapsed in front of his laptop. His mother found him lying on the floor and rushed him to the hospital.
Doctors diagnosed him with acute stress-induced respiratory collapse—essentially, his body had shut down from prolonged psychological trauma. The hospitalisation lasted several days. Medical professionals insisted on psychiatric evaluation, and the employee began therapy shortly afterward.
Post-Resignation Harassment
Despite resigning, the former employee didn’t find peace. The company’s HR department—allegedly managed by a single staffer—added to his misery. Instead of processing his full and final settlement professionally, the HR representative treated it like a personal favor. She dismissed his medical crisis, insinuating that any assistance provided to him was an act of kindness rather than a legal obligation.
“She framed my experience letter and dues as charity,” the post said. “As if collapsing from stress was something I owed them gratitude for.”
The ex-employee worked 12 to 14-hour days, rarely took time off, and performed even on weekends. Yet, the startup gave him no recognition. Instead, management picked apart every task and treated his silence and introversion as weakness.
The Personality Targeting
The post included details about how the employee’s quiet nature and physical appearance contributed to his victimisation. The CEO allegedly mocked his voice and called him “emotionless” during one meeting. He used these traits as justification for his outbursts, often accusing the employee of lacking passion or dedication simply because he didn’t react with dramatic flair.
“He made me feel like I didn’t belong in my own field,” the Reddit user wrote. “Like I was some kind of mistake in their system.”
No one in the company’s small leadership circle stepped in to help. Managers remained passive or disengaged. The lone HR representative, instead of acting as a neutral party, reportedly sided with the CEO at every turn.
Cultural Rot in Startups
This Reddit post has triggered widespread discussion about toxic startup environments, especially in India’s fast-paced tech sector. In cities like Bengaluru, many young professionals work under extreme pressure without adequate HR structures or mental health support.
Startups often run with lean teams and minimal oversight, which sometimes gives abusive leaders unchecked power. Founders who lack technical knowledge can still influence technical work and bully employees into submission using power dynamics.
“Just because someone founded a company doesn’t mean they understand how to lead one,” the Reddit user pointed out. His post warns jobseekers to thoroughly research company culture, not just job titles or pay scales.
Public Reaction and Validation
Since going viral, the Reddit thread has received thousands of upvotes and comments. Many users shared similar experiences, expressing solidarity and empathy. Others condemned the startup culture that rewards hustle over humanity.
Mental health advocates also weighed in, highlighting how unchecked psychological abuse at work can cause lifelong trauma. Professionals from various industries stressed the need for enforceable labor laws and robust HR practices to protect employees, especially in startups.
“Startups should not be allowed to operate without HR audits,” one commenter wrote. “This is not innovation; this is exploitation.”
A Message to the Broken
The post ends with a heartfelt appeal:
“Please get out before you break. Your mental health is infinitely more important than any salary, any project, or any praise you think you might one day get.”
This message now echoes across professional forums and social media platforms. It has sparked not just empathy but urgent calls for reform.
Many HR professionals have since posted that trauma like this reflects systemic failure—not individual weakness. Some even offered help with legal recourse and therapy guidance. Others encouraged more employees to speak out against workplace abuse, creating a collective voice for those suffering in silence.
Conclusion
This harrowing story from a Bengaluru startup isn’t just one man’s trauma. It stands as a brutal reminder of how modern work culture, when left unchecked, can destroy lives. Micromanagement, ego-driven leadership, and absence of empathy don’t just hurt productivity—they collapse human beings.
Workplace mental health needs to become a priority, not a PR tagline. And companies, especially startups, must recognize that leadership requires more than a title. It requires compassion, humility, and respect. Without these, even the most brilliant innovations will crumble under the weight of silence and suffering.
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