Nearly three years ago, a young man from a small village in Punjab landed what he thought was a dream job — a remote position as an SEO Executive and Web Designer with Tech SaraZ, a Bengaluru-based company. Eager to prove himself, he worked long hours and took on tasks beyond his role, including managing social media, designing creatives, and writing content.
He was promised a salary of ₹11,000 per month. But for the first 1.5 months, he wasn’t paid due to what the company described as a “skills testing period.” On top of that, he spent ₹3,500 on work tools, only to be told, “we never asked you to buy them.” Still, he remained dedicated, believing this struggle was part of the learning curve.
Toxic Culture, Health Decline, and Silent Block
The reality soon turned grim. The employee revealed he was the only one handling SEO, design, and content without any team or proper guidance. Despite asking for support, his seniors allegedly ignored him. He began paying ₹1,000 per month from his salary for essential tools, without reimbursement.
Communication deteriorated, and he was excluded from the team’s internal Slack group. The mounting pressure began affecting his health. He said, “My heart would race without reason. I felt anxious, demotivated, and completely drained.”
On March 19, 2024, he resigned, prioritising his mental and physical wellbeing. Despite the offer letter stating only a 7-day notice period, he was asked to serve two months of unpaid notice in exchange for an experience letter. When he declined, the company allegedly blocked him on all platforms — LinkedIn, Instagram, email, and WhatsApp.
Still No Experience Letter, Still No Response
Even after sharing all project data and giving access to his personal Gmail to ensure a proper handover, he never received his pending 18 days’ salary. His last follow-up attempt on July 22, 2025, also went unanswered.
In his post, he wrote, “Don’t share personal login or Gmail accounts with employers. Don’t pay for office tools unless it’s officially documented. Protect your mental and physical health — no job is worth losing yourself.”
He ended his Reddit post urging others to beware of red flags, especially freshers. The employee is now seeking legal ways to obtain the experience letter, which he needs for a new opportunity outside India. His story is a sobering reminder of how toxic work culture can quietly damage careers — and health.