I experienced profound dissatisfaction and enduring hardships, sentiments echoed by numerous colleagues subjected to the oppressive and evidently biased practices of Mr. Saraf and Mr. Gadia. Working there felt like an uphill battle, with little acknowledgement or reward for our efforts. The tyrannical atmosphere fostered by top management's exploitative tactics made each day a struggle for survival.
Some concerning red flags etched in my mind:
- Women were routinely staying at the office until late hours, often alone, solely to meet unrealistic demands for perfection and immediate results.
- Inclusive and diverse policies were non-existent, evidenced by the prevalence of offensive jokes targeting gender preference and race. Individuals with disabilities faced ridicule rather than support.
- Mental health concerns were disregarded, with no policies in place to address them. Employees taking mental health days were stigmatised and burdened with additional tasks.
- Lack of awareness of POSH policies by the HR (who didn't have any formal education in Human resources or psychology), further highlighted the organisation's neglect of employee welfare.
- favouritism was rampant, with some employees receiving preferential treatment (to the extent that their salaries increased threefold within a year!), while others were marginalised and overburdened with work. The unrecognised contributions of these individuals were vital to the company's operations.
- The top management fostered a toxic environment akin to a clique of "mean girls", engaging in degrading discussions and creating memes at the expense of their employees.
Despite the challenges, I remained committed to my work and persevered through the adversity. However, it became increasingly clear that Freadom was not a place where employees were valued or treated with respect. Instead, it was a toxic environment where exploitation and disregard for employee wellbeing were the norm.