In a striking case of prioritizing personal well-being over professional pressure, a techie from Karnataka resigned on his first day of work after facing unreasonable expectations from his manager regarding work commitments.
The individual, a B.Tech graduate, co-founded a startup straight out of college in September 2022. After pausing their project due to financial constraints, he sought a job for stability. He had invested over 80 hours on assignments during the interview process and accepted a remote job with a below-average salary, hoping to maintain time for his startup.
However, on his first day, he encountered a rude awakening. His reporting manager expected him to work excessive hours without compensation and ridiculed his concerns about work-life balance, dismissing it as a “fancy term.” The techie expressed his discontent on Reddit, stating that he wanted to highlight the importance of recognizing toxic work environments and to encourage others to stand up for their well-being.
He emphasized the difference between voluntarily investing time in one’s own venture and being pressured in a professional setting, particularly in a profitable company. The conversation surrounding work-life balance gained traction recently, especially after tragic incidents in the workplace, underscoring the need for a more humane corporate culture.
The techie’s experience serves as a reminder that it’s acceptable to leave a job that compromises one’s health and self-respect, even if it means walking away on day one.
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