QuirkyBoba
QuirkyBoba

Can I get scolded in corporate? Or set boundaries. Long post but if you read till end i would be happy!

I'm not sure who needs to hear this, but I’m briefly sharing my experience! I have around 3YOE in software development. Previously, I worked at a large product-based company, where everything was fine except for the salary and hikes, which didn't meet my expectations. So, I decided to switch jobs and ended up at a consulting start-up-like firm with a small product development team (about 15 people inc myself), receiving a decent 50% raise. This is my first job switch. The working style between the two companies is significantly different (5 days WFO, only formal attire, 10 hr working as the norm, etc.). I've noticed a few odd things.

->It’s my third month in this company, and I admit I’m a bit of a slow performer. It’s taking me time to understand their applications, pick up the pace, and get up to speed. My assigned tasks are falling behind deadlines, while my co-workers are able to complete theirs on time. I acknowledge this, and I’m working on improving and catching up.

->In meetings and scrum calls, I’m getting yelled at when my tasks don't progress. If I hit a roadblock and ask my manager or the lead for help, instead of getting the support I need, I’m hit with questions like, "We've implemented the same feature in other applications without any issues—why are you the only one facing these doubts or blockers?" or "If xyz (a colleague who joined with me but has less experience) is getting their tasks done, why are you the only one struggling with these doubts or blockers?"

->Frequent UI-UX changes and sudden shifts in implementation, whenever they feel like it, are quite confusing for me and result in a lot of rework. However, these ad-hoc changes are never acknowledged, and the effort spent on reworking isn't captured anywhere. When I mention that I've worked on these changes, they respond by questioning why I need time for them, as if my code will magically handle everything on its own,apne ap hojayega!

-> I am questioning my abilities after coming to this team, whether I am the right fit or not. Very harsh comments are passed right in front of my face: Other team mates say to me that "You are Lucky in this team! This much leverage the management has never given to me or others, they are baring you even if your tasks are not moving ahead!", In 1-on-1 my manager is saying ki "I don't know, this much leverage and patience we have never shown to anyone"(its hardly 2.5m after joining), "I don't know what to say, other team mates are asking me(to my manager) if he(ie me) can do lesser work ,we are performing way higher why do you have problems with us! This creates problems in teams". He further added "Comparison shouldn't be made, but xyz is also newly joined but he picked up, but I don't have confidence in you to give any task and feel you will accomplish it!"

->When I ask my co-workers casual questions or try to have a small interaction, their responses are things like, "Oh, do we really have to explain all this?" or "What do you want this time? Why are you eating my head?" It's a small team of 14-15 people, and they all sit together and go for coffee or lunch, but no one includes me or talks to me. I know this isn't directly related to work, and it shouldn't matter, but I just wanted to express how uncomfortable the air is around me.

-> Even though xyz’s work has several bugs and coding standard mismatches, it’s brushed off as normal. But when it comes to my work, it’s heavily scrutinized. My manager even created a group with a tester where, every day, I have to update what feature I implemented and log the hours I spent on it. The tester then immediately tests it and flags bugs on the same day. This testing happens alongside my development, even before my code is pushed to production. It feels like my manager has completely lost trust in me, and now, every hour of my work is under a microscope.

Some of you might be managers—how do you handle folks in their first few months of joining? How do you handle someone who performs slow? I’m constantly improving, and compared to previous sprints, my tasks are getting better, but before I can even take a breath, I’m hit with these comments that make me feel dumb. The phrases I’ve included in quotes are actual words I hear daily, and I've only mentioned a few of them. Is this how corporate life works? Is it normal to be treated like this, or should I feel privileged that I haven't been fired yet? Should I be setting boundaries when it comes to receiving such intense criticism? I’m not sure what to do. No matter how much I push myself to improve, it feels like they expect me to perform at 200kph, and I just can’t keep up. I feel completely inadequate and dumb.

Thanks for reading all the way through...

5mo ago
WigglyPenguin
WigglyPenguin

seems like a fast pace env and maybe you are not skilled enough to survive there, find what's best for you

ZestyPenguin
ZestyPenguin
Student5mo

Still waiting for downvote button on gv

SquishyMarshmallow
SquishyMarshmallow

he is supporting it because IRL he is the toxic boss you wrote in the post

SquishyMarshmallow
SquishyMarshmallow

fck this culture. this is a definition of a toxic startup, which most Indian startups are

QuirkyBoba
QuirkyBoba

😓

GoofyPotato
GoofyPotato

Please define what is a non toxic work culture?

SquishyPenguin
SquishyPenguin

a complete toxic culture is what i can feel, a manager should be the one uplifting the team not insulting an individual. Don’t worry, not every company or manager is like this, just upskill yourself and quickly find a better job.

QuirkyBoba
QuirkyBoba

Sure

FluffyPenguin
FluffyPenguin

I disagree that no manager or company is like it. I have worked at SAP and now work at alteryx, and i have had 3 managers till now, all of which i have seen to be uplifting the employees and empathetic to their situations. They even set time aside to talk to their juniors, and help them if necessary. No senior ever said “how many times will u come for this”. I consider myself lucky to be in the position, but not every manager is toxic.🙃

SleepyNugget
SleepyNugget

That’s the obvious sentiment. Being a lateral you come with 50% hike and if you are slow and not keeping up to speed with the team who may be with lesser salary than you . What do you expect ? And just reverse the roles and think about it ??🤔

WigglyBagel
WigglyBagel

id like to point out that the hike is on his last salary, and not on what the company is willing to pay so it is irrelevant. if any organization finds an employee not worth it then they wont say anything or think twice before letting them go. what he is going through is just a way of increasing employee's performance which is a bad way.

WigglyBagel
WigglyBagel

to give an analogy, if you're unhappy with your partner you are supposed to breakup and not humiliate them on a continual basis for not meeting your expectations.

BubblyJellybean
BubblyJellybean

Change jobs, fast.

Don't loose sleep over unsupportive colleagues. When the whole pot is poisonous, whatever you cook in it, will give you only ulcers.

You work to have a convenient life, don't let these assholes take it away. These people have no life, save yours.

QuirkyBoba
QuirkyBoba

Even i am thinking of switching...

DancingMochi
DancingMochi

Bro just switch. Mental peace should be your first priority.

ZestyBiscuit
ZestyBiscuit

Just resign and move out , not worth the fight

WigglyBagel
WigglyBagel

id suggest if you dont have other option right now and need to continue, dont reply much besided "im doing my best and i assure that ill keep doing that" and just repeat the same thing.
thing is, if they are really unhappy with you they wont even ask and escalate it to hr and terminate you, so dont give attention to the supervisors words and keep doing what you can regarding your work. if it escalates further and you are too fed up you can politely say something like "im doing my best but i understand that might not be enough so if it is the case you can follow the protocol and policy and ill be okay with that".

WigglyBagel
WigglyBagel

you will have to grow a thick skin so the toxicity of such leads doesnt get inside.

QuirkyBoba
QuirkyBoba

That's what I am doing right now..I am developing thick skin & making it a point to complete all tasks on time..At the right moment i will switch

SnoozyBoba
SnoozyBoba

In many offices, people focus on getting work done, and a bit of resilience ("dheet") can help you navigate that environment. Switching jobs just to escape won’t always solve the problem, as similar situations can arise elsewhere. Instead, switch for your growth, not to run away, and focus on finding an environment that supports your development.

ZestyBiscuit
ZestyBiscuit

Not only in your company,this kind of shit happens in every company, it's like Indian IT culture

ZestyBiscuit
ZestyBiscuit

Any lead or an engineer would and should know that a new guy will take time to learn and understand the code base.

Even I was told that i slow down the whole team when i told I'm not understanding the code base.
At times people don't understand what we are asking or they deliberately put us down and talk highly of themselves. Once you get to know them you will understand nor they knew anything in the first place, wrote shitty code, behaved as if they were the leetcode champions and graduated from top universities. You can see for 6 months and notice are they putting you down only when you are alone, then it would be to push you to learn. You might be a topper during the college days and they might treat you like an uneducated village guy .
You need to put your efforts and try to understand how things are done . In most of the companies people don't write rocket science code, it will be the same pattern of code which is written over and over again.

Even after that, if you feel that you are being targeted then you need to leave . But if they do the same humiliation in front of all team members and give negative reviews about you to the higher ups, then it's a toxic place and you should consider shifting.

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