An Indian scientist based in Germany has gone viral on social media after sharing how one of her company’s founders actively helped her US-based boyfriend search for a job near her — just a week after she joined the startup.
In a detailed post, Ananya Joshi said the episode left her “shocked and speechless”, particularly given her experience of being laid off from a previous employer in the US, where she said she received little institutional support despite nearly two years of service.
‘I thought I was in trouble’
Joshi said she moved to Germany only two weeks ago and joined the biotech startup last week after being laid off in the US, a decision that had also complicated her visa status. She recalled that one of the founders recently called her into a private meeting, asking whether she had seen an email.
“In that moment, it sounded like ‘hey, we need to talk’, and I started to freak out,” she wrote. Sensing her discomfort, the founder immediately clarified that there was no issue with her work and instead said, “I have something for your boyfriend.”
Job leads, resume review and HR outreach
According to Joshi, the email contained a list of job postings at a startup located close to her city. The founder suggested that Joshi’s boyfriend — who currently lives in the US — apply for the roles and said he could have a real chance.
To support the application, Joshi said the founder reviewed her boyfriend’s CV and recommended specific changes to better suit German hiring norms. She also offered to speak directly to the other startup’s HR team, whom she personally knew.
The founder even said she would ask whether German-language requirements, common across many German workplaces, were strictly necessary for the role.
“This person has known me for less than two weeks and she is willing to go this far just to help me,” Joshi wrote, adding that she was struggling to process the kindness.
Contrast with previous workplace
Joshi contrasted the experience sharply with her former employer in the US, where she said she prioritised work over her physical and mental health for nearly two years.
“I don’t think I’m bad about them laying me off or even messing up my visa situation,” she said, “It’s the fact that they did nothing to help me.”
She added that a letter of recommendation promised by the company had been pending for over eight months.
The experience, she said, reshaped how she viewed self-worth at work. “If you ever feel unworthy, it’s not that you’re unworthy. You’re just in the wrong place,” she wrote.
Reactions highlight comparisons with German work culture
Joshi’s post triggered widespread discussion, with several users saying her experience reflected a broader cultural difference in German workplaces, particularly in smaller companies.
“A lot of German employers are very humane, especially at smaller companies,” one user commented. “This also ties into the famous German work-life balance. We are just not used to kindness after being hurt in life.”
Others congratulated her on finding what many described as a supportive and empathetic work environment, especially as a migrant navigating relocation, visa issues and long-distance relationships.