A professional with nearly five years of diverse experience is navigating a difficult career crossroad after being laid off, sharing their story on Reddit. The individual, who works remotely from Indore and earns ₹11 lakh per annum, has been informed that their last working day will be December 31, 2025. While searching for new opportunities, they encountered a job offer from a startup that has sparked significant concern and debate online about toxic work expectations in India.
The Troubling Startup Interview Experience
During their job search, the candidate interviewed for a technical sales role at a startup based in the national capital, Delhi. Initially, the position seemed promising. However, several major red flags emerged during the process. The candidate researched the company on AmbitionBox, a platform for company reviews, and found negative feedback. When they pointed this out to the founder over WhatsApp, the response was alarming.
The founder reportedly claimed that in India, people work “24h/24h” and often stay awake late to finalize deals. While the official hours were stated as Monday to Saturday, 10 AM to 6 PM, the founder's expectation was clear: round-the-clock availability. This demand for constant connectivity became a primary point of contention for the experienced job seeker.
Multiple Red Flags in the Job Offer
Beyond the extreme hours, several other issues made the offer untenable. Despite the candidate's substantial background—which includes stints in Indian Railways, solar manufacturing, and vendor management linked to China—the founder made them feel like a fresher, dismissing their expertise in heavy engineering and international negotiations.
Furthermore, the company failed to provide clear terms regarding employment. Key details like probation conditions and specific performance targets were left undefined, adding to the uncertainty and risk. Financially, the offer was also complicated. The package remained at ₹11 lakh, matching their current salary, but it required a costly and disruptive relocation from Indore to Delhi, effectively making it a less valuable proposition.
Social Media Reacts: Universal Advice to Reject
The Reddit community was unanimous in its response, urging the job seeker to walk away from the offer. Users highlighted the toxic expectations and poor hiring practices as clear warning signs.
One user advised, “If you can sustain yourself for a few months, just ignore the offer.” This sentiment was echoed by others who emphasized self-respect and well-being over a problematic job. Another comment read, “Please don’t entertain such expectations. I hope you get a better job soon.” A more blunt piece of advice simply stated, “Stay unemployed on New Year and enjoy.”
The collective wisdom pointed towards viewing unemployment as a better alternative than accepting a role with exploitative conditions and a disrespectful founder. The case has ignited a broader conversation about the normalization of unsustainable work hours in some Indian startup circles and the importance of recognizing one's own professional worth, especially during the stressful period of a layoff.
