'I Literally Have PTSD': Woman Recalls 'Toxic' Indian Office Culture After Moving Back From US

(MENAFN- Live Mint) An entrepreneur who relocated from the US to India after 12 years has shared her 'honest' experience of working with an Indian firm, which she described as a 'toxic work culture'. The woman, who goes by the name Khyati on Instagram, spoke about the exhaustion, anxiety and office politics that she said gave her Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Khyati stated that she and her husband moved back to India four years ago. She said returning helped them avoid visa-related issues and gave them greater freedom to explore ideas such as starting a business or taking a break from work.

However, she said India's workplace culture was a major 'shock' for her and was vastly different from what she had experienced in the US. After quitting her U job, she found employment in India but was taken aback by what she described as widespread office politics.

'Cannot imagine returning to a job in India'

“It was such a toxic work culture,” she said, alleging that managers were focused on protecting themselves and could“throw you under the bus in a fraction of a second”.

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She said the experience became a“major work culture shock” and eventually prompted her to quit after maternity leave and focus full-time on her business.

“I literally have PTSD from, you know, working at a toxic company,” she said, adding that she could not imagine returning to a job in India.

How social media users reacted:

Khyati's video has received thousands of likes and a flurry of comments, with several users drawing parallels between India's work culture and those of other countries.

A user wrote: "Sadly, Indian managers working in the US and working for US companies have brought that same toxic work culture into the West."

Another wrote:“India has one of the worst office cultures and politics in most private companies. Increased corruption as well. I thank God a billion times for taking me out of that place.”

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A third user said: "Your reel made me go back down memory lane to my job days in India. Thank God, there is a huge difference in the N. American work culture; work-life balance is the best part"

A fourth user said: "I agree with you totally. Asian countries really have a very sad work culture. I have worked with companies based in Australia, the UK, the USA, and India, and only Indian companies have the kind of drama that gives you a headache."

(Disclaimer: This report is based on user-generated content from social media. Livemint has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.)

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