‘I literally have PTSD’: Woman recalls ‘toxic’ Indian office culture after moving back from US

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 US 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”.

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.”

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.)