When resignation turned into more problems. Employee shares story of humiliation during notice period

An employee recently shared on an online forum how they endured severe embarrassment and mistreatment while serving their notice period at an Indian workplace. The employee explained that since joining the company four months earlier, they had already seen four members leave from a small team of eleven. According to them, the mass exits reflected the poor conditions within the company, primarily caused by toxic leadership, lack of direction, and unreasonable expectations such as repetitive assignments and endless meetings.

The Fallout After Resignation

Unable to bear the negativity any longer, the employee decided to resign. However, the manager reacted poorly, asking them to reconsider since the team was understaffed. Instead of reflecting on the reasons behind the attrition, the manager turned hostile. Following the resignation, the employee was publicly ridiculed with comments suggesting they were slow, incapable, or lazy. The manager also began piling on unrealistic amounts of work, demanding completion within impossible deadlines, even suggesting they stay overnight if required.

Adding to the strain, once the office emptied, the manager would stop shouting and instead deliver lengthy unsolicited lectures about career and life improvement. Ironically, the employee pointed out that the manager’s own professional journey had not been successful. The hostile environment, combined with personal attacks, started affecting the employee’s mental health. Even the senior reporting manager sided with the boss, creating further isolation.

The Employee’s Background

The individual stressed that they had pursued both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees from top-tier Indian institutions and had worked at leading multinational companies earlier. Never before had they faced such degrading treatment or unfair criticism. The constant hostility now made them dread stepping into the office each day.

Community Advice on Handling the Situation

Members of the online forum shared practical strategies. Some advised the employee not to engage with the manager’s insults and to simply respond with minimal words. Others encouraged them to adopt a firm stance, reminding them that the notice period could not be used to intimidate them.

Several suggested gathering evidence—keeping all communication in writing, requesting email confirmation for assigned tasks, and sending regular updates to avoid false accusations. They also recommended discreetly recording conversations where the manager resorted to humiliation or delivered long-winded lectures, ensuring caution to avoid detection.

Other tips included setting clear boundaries, logging inappropriate remarks, and escalating matters to HR during exit interviews in a calm and professional manner. Employees in similar situations were encouraged to use the opportunity to highlight toxic practices with proof. Finally, some advised negotiating with HR for an early release to escape the unhealthy work environment.