In a chilling post that has gone viral on Reddit, a former employee of a Bengaluru-based startup has accused the company’s CEO of relentless psychological harassment, culminating in a complete mental breakdown during a Google Meet call. The Reddit user, who worked as a Junior Data Scientist in 2024, recounted how the CEO’s constant micromanagement, unrealistic deadlines, and verbal abuse led to a hospitalisation and long-lasting trauma.
In the post titled “I had a complete breakdown during a work video call because my CEO kept screaming – still dealing with the trauma”, the employee detailed seven months of extreme workplace stress. “Survived 7 months of relentless psychological harassment… Finally suffered a complete breakdown so severe during a Google Meet that I collapsed breathless and was rushed to the hospital,” the post read.
The anonymous user described the CEO as a non-technical founder who saw himself as a “data science mastermind” and made life miserable by demanding daily, flawless explanations of work—even when he couldn’t understand technical nuances. If dissatisfied, the CEO would allegedly launch into screaming tirades that often turned personal.
The former employee further revealed that his quiet demeanor and physical appearance may have made him an easy target. Reporting directly to the CEO, bypassing the company hierarchy, only worsened the experience. The tipping point came a week after his resignation when the CEO verbally attacked him so viciously during a video call that he collapsed due to breathlessness. His mother had to rush him to the hospital.
Even after his resignation, the user said the HR department—run by a single person—continued to act vindictively. He claimed the HR staff framed his final dues and experience letter as a favour rather than fulfilling legal obligations. “She had the audacity to frame my medical emergency as some kind of charity they were providing,” the post alleged.
The employee worked 12–14-hour days including weekends, took only two sick days during his tenure, and received no appreciation—only criticism and fault-finding.
In closing, the Redditor urged others in toxic workplaces to prioritise their mental health. “Your mental health is infinitely more important than any salary,” he wrote.
The post has sparked an outpouring of support from users across the platform, many of whom have shared similar experiences. No public response has been issued yet by the company or the CEO in question.