Bengaluru startup employee calls CEO 'satan', alleges daily mental torture, HR harassment even after resignation
A former employee of a Bengaluru-based startup has shared a harrowing account of psychological abuse and harassment on Reddit, painting a grim picture of workplace toxicity that persisted even after his resignation.
The employee, who worked as a Junior Data Scientist, claimed he suffered seven months of relentless micromanagement and emotional abuse from the CEO, whom he referred to as 'Satan himself.' According to the post, the CEO had no technical background but constantly imposed unrealistic deadlines, changed project requirements without notice, and subjected employees to intense verbal abuse.
'He would explode in rage if he didn't understand something technical. Screaming, personal insults—daily mental torture,' the employee wrote. Despite working 12–14 hour days, including weekends, and taking just two sick days in seven months, he said his dedication was never acknowledged—only criticized.
The situation reached a breaking point during a Google Meet, a week after the employee resigned. The CEO allegedly excluded the reporting manager from the call and confronted the employee directly with aggressive questioning. The stress triggered a physical collapse mid-meeting, leading to a hospital emergency. 'My chest tightened, I couldn't breathe, and I collapsed in my chair. My mother rushed me to the hospital,' he recalled.
Even after leaving the company, he alleged that the harassment continued. The HR head reportedly downplayed his medical emergency and framed the final settlement as an act of charity. He claimed his experience letter was withheld as a 'favor' and his PF transfer was deliberately delayed, harming future job prospects.
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He also described a disturbing incident where the CEO publicly berated a 21-year-old intern to tears, reinforcing his belief that the toxic culture was deeply rooted and targeted vulnerable individuals.
'I still have flashbacks. It took a severe toll on my mental health. These people weren't demanding—they were psychological abusers,' he wrote, encouraging others facing similar abuse to prioritize their mental well-being.
In closing, the employee wrote: 'To the ones who nearly broke me—karma exists. And I hope it finds you.'
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