Hustle culture or harassment? Techie shares her traumatic experience at dream startup: 'Was gaslighted for 3 years'

Economic Times

11 hours ago

A young graduate faced harassment at an Indian SaaS startup. A senior leader assaulted her. HR offered no real help. She faced retaliation for speaking out. The company promoted mental health but silenced her. A co-founder acknowledged the abuse but did nothing. She suffered emotional and professional damage. The startup continues to promote its image.
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Starting a career with a startup has become increasingly common among young graduates, promising rapid learning, diverse responsibilities, and the chance to be part of something from the ground up. But beneath this appealing exterior often lies a turbulent and unpredictable reality—one that blurs personal boundaries, disregards employee safety, and prizes image over integrity.In 2022, a fresh graduate took her first step into the corporate world, joining a high-profile Indian SaaS startup focused on identity verification. Backed by elite investors and founded by business school alumni, the company appeared to embody promise and prestige. However, the glitter faded quickly. Within weeks, she was subjected to disturbing acts of misconduct. A senior leader, much older and in a position of power, made a non-verbal demand for physical contact—an inappropriate and humiliating request. Just days later, at a company event, the same man assaulted her while she was intoxicated, physically picking her up and ignoring her repeated pleas to stop.The immediate aftermath was marked by disbelief and betrayal. Her attempt to seek help through the HR department resulted in shallow assurances but no real action. Despite being encouraged to file a formal complaint, fear held her back. New to the workforce and only 21, she didn't feel safe challenging the very people in control of her career.When she confronted the man who harassed her, he downplayed the incident with manipulative justifications and thinly veiled threats, suggesting he'd walked away from similar situations before. As she refused to stay silent, the retaliation began. Excluded from meetings, projects, and informal gatherings, she was systematically isolated and humiliated. The psychological toll deepened with each passing day.The hostile environment wasn't limited to a single incident or individual. Even her female reporting manager crossed boundaries by asking extremely personal and inappropriate questions during the first week. It was clear that workplace harassment had been normalized within the company's culture.This culture of manipulation and gaslighting chipped away at her mental and physical health. Frequent illnesses, anxiety, and emotional breakdowns became part of her daily life. Conversations felt like navigating a maze filled with hidden traps. She found herself alone in a place that publicly celebrated trust and safety.Ironically, the startup continued to build its brand around mental health awareness and inclusivity while silencing voices like hers. Senior leaders mocked women's safety laws behind closed doors. When she raised concerns with one of the co-founders, he offered only passive resignation, acknowledging the abuse while doing nothing to address it.Three years later, she still bears the scars—emotional, mental, and professional. Her confidence eroded, her personal life was disrupted, and her career was derailed before it truly began. While the startup continues to promote its polished image and attract investments, she's left grappling with lasting trauma.Her story is a stark reminder that "culture" is not built through slogans, TED Talks, or branding campaigns. It's revealed in how power is wielded when no one is watching—and in whether people feel safe when they speak up.