A Bengaluru-based startup UX design intern has made headlines after she recounted her harrowing experience of office harassment at the hands of the firm’s CEO. In a meticulous Reddit post by user @akclone, the young woman went into details of the sexism, public humiliation, and emotional trauma she faced while working in what had started as a dream job.
In her last year of a Master’s degree, the intern moved to Bengaluru for an internship program where she was the solo designer and directly reported to the CEO. But soon, things took a dark turn.
While doing her thesis, the CEO questioned her commitment, suggesting in public if she had come ‘to work or have fun with your boyfriend’. He also accused her of not doing any actual work. Though embarrassed, she asked for another opportunity and was eventually offered a permanent job.
Toxic Culture and Sexist Comments
After transitioning into a permanent role, the environment worsened. When she requested work-from-home days to finish her college project, the CEO denied her request and later berated her in front of the entire office, blaming her for the company’s underperformance.
It was her understanding that the CEO would habitually target women and regularly embarrass them in front of others. In one scary moment, when she stayed away from the team so that she was not exposed to sexist remarks, the CEO came over and asked, “Porn dekh rahi ho kya?” (Are you watching porn?), making her shocked and very uncomfortable.
I stayed in a toxic startup for 1.5 years because I thought I wasn’t capable of better. I was wrong.
byu/akclone inIndianWorkplace
Final Straw Before Resignation
Her breaking point arrived when she asked about appraisals. The CEO allegedly informed her that her position as a designer was no longer needed and that she could stay only if she generated business. He informed her that she was ‘not built to grow’.
She eventually quit. Despite being hurt and emotionally drained, she said that after quitting the company, she felt liberated. The abusive atmosphere, she added, broke her confidence and led her to doubt herself.
Online Support and Reactions
The intern’s tale has also garnered a lot of support and criticism for the CEO’s actions. @Appropriate-ASS-824 posted, “I mean no one deserves such a humiliation whether you are a top performer or the worst performer. Name and shame I would say.”
Another user, @Rx_Kid, posted, “I thought one more EY story Thank God No.”
Others commended her for being brave and speaking up and called on others to do the same. She now encourages other professionals not to sit quietly in abusive workplaces or feel obligated to earn their spurs where they are disrespected.
