Workplace harassment complaints are increasingly moving beyond closed-door meetings and HR files, with many employees turning to online platforms to share experiences and seek advice. In one such case, a young employee at a multinational company has accused her manager of sustained workplace harassment followed by public humiliation, after he allegedly mocked her emotional breakdown during a review meeting in front of colleagues at a social event.
The allegations were shared in a Reddit post by a 24-year-old software development engineer working at a large MNC. She said the issue began with what she described as a trivial incident during a meeting nearly six months earlier, when her manager objected to her checking her phone repeatedly. According to her account, the manager continued to raise this incident in every one-on-one discussion for months, while overlooking her actual work output and progress.
She claimed the repeated focus created constant pressure and distress. During her mid-year performance review, she said the situation reached a breaking point, leading her to cry during the meeting. She explained that the reaction was not planned but a result of accumulated stress. After regaining composure, she reportedly asked to move the discussion forward in a productive way and completed the meeting. As she was leaving, the manager allegedly asked her to shut the door, an interaction she said stayed with her.
Alleged public ridicule at colleague’s wedding
The matter reportedly escalated when the employee later learned about comments made by her manager at a colleague’s wedding. According to what she was told, the manager, who was allegedly drunk at the time, spoke about her in front of several team members.
She claimed he mocked her emotional reaction during the review meeting, misrepresented her behaviour, and used degrading and vulgar language while discussing her. The employee said these remarks were shared with multiple colleagues, making the situation deeply humiliating. She added that discovering half her team was aware of these comments left her feeling exposed at work.
No direct proof, uncertainty over next steps
In her post, the employee acknowledged that she does not have direct evidence such as recordings or messages. She also pointed out that the alleged remarks were made outside office hours, though in the presence of coworkers. She said this left her unsure about how to proceed, questioning whether she should confront the manager, approach HR, or stay silent.
She described feeling disgusted and lost, adding that the lack of concrete proof made the situation more overwhelming.
Online responses urge action
The post drew widespread responses from Reddit users, many of whom encouraged her to formally report the matter. One commenter, who said they were part of a POSH committee, stated that harassment involving colleagues can still be considered workplace-related even if it occurs outside office premises. They advised gathering second-hand evidence, such as messages or confirmations from coworkers who witnessed or heard about the remarks.
Other users echoed similar advice, noting that large organisations typically take such complaints seriously, even when senior managers are involved. Some commenters clarified that making vulgar remarks about a woman can fall under POSH provisions, while others pointed out that bullying and mental harassment alone are sufficient grounds for escalation.