‘I literally have PTSD’: Woman recalls ‘toxic’ Indian office culture after returning from US | Today’s news
A businesswoman who moved to India from the US after 12 years has shared her “candid” experience of working with an Indian company, which she described as a “toxic work culture”. The woman, who goes by the name Khyati on Instagram, spoke about exhaustion, anxiety and office politics, which she says caused her post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Khyati said she and her husband moved back to India four years ago. She said the return helped them avoid visa issues and gave them more freedom to explore ideas such as starting a business or taking a break from work.
However, she said that the Indian workplace culture was a big “shock” for her and was significantly different from what she had experienced in the US. After leaving her job in the US, she found employment in India, but was taken aback by what she described as widespread office politics.
“I can’t imagine going back to work in India”
“It was such a toxic work culture,” she said, claiming managers were focused on protecting themselves and could “throw you under the bus in a split second”.
She said the experience became “a big work culture shock” and eventually prompted her to quit after maternity leave to focus full-time on her business.
“I literally have PTSD from working in a toxic company,” she said, adding that she can’t imagine going back to work in India.
How social media users reacted:
Khyati’s video received thousands of likes and lots of comments, with several users finding parallels between India’s work culture and that of other countries.
A user wrote: “It’s sad that Indian managers working in the US and working for American companies have brought the same toxic work culture to the West.”
Another wrote: “India has one of the worst office cultures and policies in most private companies. Also rampant corruption. I thank God a billion times for taking me out of that place.”
A third user said: “Your reel made me flash back to my working days in India. Thank goodness there is a huge difference in North American work culture; work life balance is the best part.”
A fourth user said: “I totally agree with you. Asian countries really have a very sad work culture. I have worked with companies based in Australia, UK, US and India and only Indian companies have such drama that makes your head hurt.”
(Disclaimer: This report is based on user-generated content from social media. Livemint has not independently verified and does not endorse these claims.)
