Latest news with #IndianWorkplace
Economic Times
18 hours ago
- Business
- Economic Times
Company treated employees with better coffee. Result: Breaks got longer, chaos in pantry and finally...machines are gone
iStock An exasperated employee recently revealed how their co-workers misused an office facility.(Representational image) In a recent revelation shared on the 'Indian Workplace' subreddit, an agitated employee shed light on the unfortunate misuse of a thoughtful workplace upgrade. The company in question had long been criticized for its outdated and poorly functioning coffee machines, which churned out subpar beverages that employees jokingly referred to as undrinkable. In an effort to enhance employee satisfaction, the management partnered with Nestlé starting April 1, 2025, to replace the old machines with premium alternatives. These new machines were capable of dispensing a wide range of high-quality beverages. From refreshing cold coffee, iced tea, and chilled chocolate drinks to comforting options like tomato soup and hot chocolate, the facility was designed to offer a luxurious refreshment experience throughout the day. However, what was meant to be a generous gesture soon spiraled into a logistical nightmare. The upgraded amenities triggered a frenzy among the staff, many of whom began crowding around the machines and treating them as an all-you-can-drink buffet. Instead of enjoying an occasional drink, individuals consumed multiple servings in one go, monopolizing the pantry area and creating situation worsened when small groups began to take control of the space, preventing others from accessing the machines. As a result, tempers flared, and arguments broke out over beverage access. The constant usage led to the machines running out of premixes within hours each day, far exceeding anticipated consumption coffee breaks began stretching far beyond reasonable limits, with many employees absent from workstations during peak hours. Managers became increasingly frustrated as the absenteeism disrupted meeting schedules and overall began pouring in during afternoon and evening hours, as employees arriving later found no beverages left. To address the issue, the company increased the frequency of refills from three times a week to three times a day. Even this proved just two months, the stock of beverage premixes meant to last half a year was completely depleted. The workplace administration, initially enthusiastic about the upgrade, found itself exasperated and with such excessive misuse and operational disruption, the management ultimately decided to discontinue the premium service. The office is now reverting to its former, substandard coffee solution—a move that many saw some employees who tried to use the service responsibly, the entire episode is a frustrating reminder that collective discipline is essential. In the end, what was meant to be a positive step turned into a cautionary tale about how privilege, when taken for granted, can quickly be lost.
Time of India
20 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Company treated employees with better coffee. Result: Breaks got longer, chaos in pantry and finally...machines are gone
In a recent revelation shared on the 'Indian Workplace' subreddit, an agitated employee shed light on the unfortunate misuse of a thoughtful workplace upgrade. The company in question had long been criticized for its outdated and poorly functioning coffee machines, which churned out subpar beverages that employees jokingly referred to as undrinkable. In an effort to enhance employee satisfaction , the management partnered with Nestlé starting April 1, 2025, to replace the old machines with premium alternatives. These new machines were capable of dispensing a wide range of high-quality beverages. From refreshing cold coffee, iced tea, and chilled chocolate drinks to comforting options like tomato soup and hot chocolate, the facility was designed to offer a luxurious refreshment experience throughout the day. However, what was meant to be a generous gesture soon spiraled into a logistical nightmare. The upgraded amenities triggered a frenzy among the staff, many of whom began crowding around the machines and treating them as an all-you-can-drink buffet. Instead of enjoying an occasional drink, individuals consumed multiple servings in one go, monopolizing the pantry area and creating disorder. The situation worsened when small groups began to take control of the space, preventing others from accessing the machines. As a result, tempers flared, and arguments broke out over beverage access. The constant usage led to the machines running out of premixes within hours each day, far exceeding anticipated consumption rates. Morning coffee breaks began stretching far beyond reasonable limits, with many employees absent from workstations during peak hours. Managers became increasingly frustrated as the absenteeism disrupted meeting schedules and overall productivity. Complaints began pouring in during afternoon and evening hours, as employees arriving later found no beverages left. To address the issue, the company increased the frequency of refills from three times a week to three times a day. Even this proved insufficient. Within just two months, the stock of beverage premixes meant to last half a year was completely depleted. The workplace administration, initially enthusiastic about the upgrade, found itself exasperated and disappointed. Faced with such excessive misuse and operational disruption, the management ultimately decided to discontinue the premium service. The office is now reverting to its former, substandard coffee solution—a move that many saw coming. For some employees who tried to use the service responsibly, the entire episode is a frustrating reminder that collective discipline is essential. In the end, what was meant to be a positive step turned into a cautionary tale about how privilege, when taken for granted, can quickly be lost.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
When recruiters reach a new low: Job seeker shares they were grilled over father's income, marital status in viral Reddit post
Sometimes, recruiters cross a line when conducting interviews. In a troubling incident that has stirred conversation online, a job seeker recently shared their experience of being subjected to unprofessional and deeply personal questions during a job interview. The incident occurred during an interaction with the recruitment team of a Mumbai-based advertising agency, reportedly located in Ghatkopar. Among those present was the agency's director, who posed a question that crossed a clear boundary: the candidate was asked whether they were the sole earner in their family. This incident came to light through a post shared on the "Indian Workplace" subreddit. The user detailed how the question about their family's financial structure was asked in the middle of the interview, accompanied by several other invasive queries. In addition to the sole earner question, the agency's HR personnel inquired about the candidate's age and marital status, both of which are generally regarded as irrelevant and inappropriate during professional recruitment processes. The Reddit post quickly garnered attention, sparking a wave of criticism from fellow users. Many expressed shock and dismay at the invasive nature of the questioning. Some speculated that such inquiries were intended to gauge the candidate's level of desperation for employment rather than their qualifications or skills. Others pointed out that while asking about general family background might occasionally occur, explicitly probing into a candidate's household income and financial dependencies was an unprecedented and intrusive move. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo One user, reflecting on years of professional experience, remarked that they had never encountered or posed such personal questions in any interview setting. Another shared a similar experience of overreach by an HR representative who, prior to even scheduling an interview, asked for details including the father's occupation and income, the number of siblings, the mother's job, the home address's pin code, and even how the candidate intended to commute to work. Despite the extensive personal data gathered, the interview never took place. The episode has reignited conversations about ethical boundaries in recruitment practices and highlighted the importance of protecting candidates' privacy. While job interviews are meant to assess a candidate's fit for a role, the increasing frequency of inappropriate and intrusive questions suggests a need for greater awareness and accountability within hiring teams. The incident stands as a stark reminder that professionalism and respect must remain central to the hiring process.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Techie misses girlfriend's birthday, misses dinner again for bug fix. His post on always-on work culture breaks hearts
In today's fast-paced corporate world, ambition is often rewarded — but not without a cost. One employee recently shared a deeply personal story online, shedding light on how his relentless dedication to work came at the expense of someone he dearly loved. His emotional revelation, posted anonymously on the subreddit Indian Workplace, revealed the unseen wounds that many professionals carry in silence — the price paid not in missed deadlines, but in missed moments with loved ones. A Night Meant for Celebration Turned Cold The employee had just achieved a significant milestone — a long-awaited promotion. His girlfriend, excited and proud, had planned a private dinner to celebrate. She cooked his favorite dishes — creamy dal makhani and perfectly charred tandoori rotis — and waited eagerly for his return. He had promised to be home by 8 PM. But as the evening approached, a familiar disruption occurred. At 7:30 PM, a message from his manager appeared on Slack: a last-minute, high-priority bug needed fixing before the end of the day. It was flagged as 'critical' for an important client in Mumbai. What should have been a time for joy quickly spiraled into another night tethered to his laptop and fueled by caffeine. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like You won't believe what your old car is worth today Cars24 Book Now Undo Hours ticked by, and six cups of coffee later, he finally sent the confirmation message—'Done'—at'' 1:12 AM. The celebration never happened. The lights in his home were out. The food had grown cold. And the warm anticipation in his girlfriend's eyes had dissolved into silent disappointment. He entered the house, muttered a brief apology about having to finish work, and retreated to his room. The night ended not in happiness but in a heavy mix of guilt and exhaustion. Echoes of Support and Sadness Online The post struck a chord with many Reddit users who empathized with the emotional toll of constant work pressure. Fellow professionals rallied around the anonymous employee, urging him to reconsider his boundaries and prioritize his personal life . One user suggested developing subtle strategies to escape such unending demands — even using creative excuses like hospital visits to reclaim personal time. Others shared their frustration with the toxic work culture prevalent in many Indian offices, where staying past work hours is normalized and rarely questioned. 'Just feels sad reading these posts almost daily,' one commenter wrote. 'It's the sad reality of life in Indian workplaces. We are just cheap labour where our personal lives don't matter.' Yet, amidst the anger and frustration, there was also appreciation. One commenter noted that the fact the man felt remorse for disappointing his girlfriend showed that he truly valued her. They lamented that many partners go unappreciated despite juggling jobs and responsibilities. This post, they said, offered a glimmer of hope — proof that some still recognize and cherish their loved ones' efforts. A Wake-Up Call for Change The emotional outpouring from strangers highlighted not just one man's regret, but a deeper, systemic issue. The culture of urgency and constant availability may drive business forward, but it leaves emotional wreckage in its path. The message is clear — it's time for a collective shift. Because promotions might come and go, but lost moments with loved ones never return.
NDTV
4 days ago
- NDTV
Reddit User Stunned After Mumbai Recruiter Asks "Intrusive" Questions About Family Income, Marriage Plans
A job seeker recently shared a troubling experience where a recruiter asked a series of strange questions during an interview, which left them stunned. Taking to Reddit, the user claimed that they were asked many intrusive questions, including how many earning members were in their family and whether they were planning to get married. "In today's episode of Recruiters reaching a new low: Got asked about the 'earning members in the family'" the user titled the post shared on subreddit r/IndianWorkplace. "Got asked this question bang in the middle of interview by the DIRECTOR of a marketing/ad agency (amongst other personal/intrusive questions) Mumbai/Ghatkopar based agency," the Redditor shared. In today's episode of Recruiters reaching a new low : Got asked about the 'earning members in the family' by u/whimsicalfemme in IndianWorkplace In the comments section, when one user asked why the director of the company took the interview and not a recruiting HR, the job seeker said that the HR asked their age and immediately inquired if they were planning to get married. The post quickly sparked a conversation online, with many users sharing similar stories. "Agencies reach new lows every week, so this is honestly not a huge surprise," expressed one user. "I was asked my father's occupation, yearly income, number of siblings, mother's occupation, pin code of my address, and how I am going to travel to office once, by the HR before even scheduling an interview. She took all this information and didn't even schedule an interview," shared another. "I was asked the same question six months ago, and I said "excuse me?" Hoping he would refrain asking it for the second time but he did. I asked him how does that matter. He said he was just trying to understand how committed I am to my career. I got the offer but didnt join the organization. He later called me up and asked for the reason, I told I was not comfortable with the questions that were asked during the HR interview. He tried to cover it up with some bs nothing happened after that," commented a third user. "There should be a way to publicly call these people out by name and company. Or a way to warn people about these people but on the down-low," wrote one user. "Some directly ask what EMI's you have , they just want to know how desperate you are for the job and will you stick around for a while," said another.
