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A UX designer has sparked a larger conversation on workplace harassment and gender bias after anonymously recounting her experience at a Bengaluru-based startup. Posting under the Reddit handle @akclone, she described an emotionally taxing period marked by hostility, public shaming, and sexist treatment, particularly by the company’s CEO.

The designer began working at the startup during the final year of her Master’s degree, full of enthusiasm about being the only designer at the firm and reporting directly to the CEO. However, what initially seemed like an exciting opportunity soon deteriorated into a deeply demoralising experience.

“I didn’t ask the right questions, and that turned out to be the biggest mistake of my career,” she wrote, admitting that she had not anticipated the toxic culture that awaited her.

Public Humiliation And Gender-Based Harassment

The first red flag appeared early, when the CEO publicly humiliated her during what she believed would be a performance review. In front of the entire team, he allegedly remarked, “I don’t know whether you came to Bengaluru to work or to enjoy with your BOYFRIEND. Mujhe lagta hai tum kaam hi nahi karti.”

Even after she converted her internship into a full-time role, the mistreatment continued. Requests for time off to complete academic work or for personal emergencies were met with harsh responses.

I stayed in a toxic startup for 1.5 years because I thought I wasn’t capable of better. I was wrong.
byu/akclone inIndianWorkplace

Following an investor meeting, the CEO reportedly lashed out again, accusing her of dragging down the company and insisting, “Bezti sabke samne honi chahiye jab sabko lekar doob rahe ho to.”

She noted a disturbing pattern—the CEO's outbursts were directed only at women. "The only reason I wasn’t fired was because I kept pleading,” she shared.

Sexist Remarks And Job Threats

The situation escalated when she began avoiding the main workspace to distance herself from inappropriate jokes. On one occasion, the CEO confronted her with the offensive remark, “Why are you sitting away? Porn dekh rahi ho kya?”

Her attempt to inquire about performance reviews was met with a demotion threat. The CEO allegedly told her to switch roles or leave, stating, “I know you won’t be a good PM. Some people are just not built to grow.”

He later offered freelance work, contradicting his earlier claim that her position was unnecessary. “It all felt like a mind game,” she wrote.

Eventually, she resigned, stating, “I cried that day… But I was relieved. He did for me what I couldn’t do for myself—I was finally free.” The prolonged trauma had lasting effects on her self-confidence. She revealed that even after leaving, she struggled to believe she deserved another job.

Her post concluded with advice for young professionals, “Don’t stay to prove your worth to people who prey on young, naive employees.” The detailed account has resonated widely on social media, highlighting the need for stronger workplace protections, especially for women in startups and early-career roles.

"Thank God you quit that place. One of the managers who i work under is like this but some of my coworkers are good. They told me that he is like that only. And we shouldn't take him seriously. I can understand upper management being toxic but atleast teammates should help each other back," wrote one of the internet users.