My service based company horror
I was working as a full-stack developer in one of best in-house AI-based product unit of the biggest service based company of the country. I was among the best performers on my team, and my manager frequently appreciated my contributions. She often emphasized that she cared about us more than the work itself, saying, "We are like a family, and you are like my child."
However, after 2.5 years with almost no growth, I started interviewing and eventually received an offer. Despite this opportunity, I was hesitant to leave my team and my comfort zone.
The Politics Unfolds
I approached my manager and informed her about my offer, requesting either a salary revision or a reduced notice period since the new company wanted an immediate joiner. HR scheduled a discussion, and after careful consideration, I decided to decline the offer.
During that half-hour HR call, I was told that I was "fortunate" that the HR head himself scheduled the meeting to reject my request—otherwise, such requests were simply dismissed without discussion. When I asked my manager for an immediate sign-off, she responded, "It’s not in my hands; that's not how we work."
At that time, the job market was in a recession, and I was in a reputed company, so I chose to stay and continue preparing for better opportunities while managing my work.
The Change in Behavior
Soon after, my manager’s attitude toward me changed drastically. She started blaming me for not working hard enough and constantly putting me under stress. Micromanagement kicked in, and she began making comments like, "You're young, you don’t have a family—so you should dedicate all your time to work."
Ironically, she ignored others on the team who were barely contributing. But because I was focusing on my studies after work hours, I became her primary target.
The Final Straw
Eventually, I decided to resign. I approached her during appraisal season, right before the hikes were announced, and told her about my decision. She asked if I had an offer, and at that moment, I didn’t have a strong one. I naively mentioned that I planned to study during my notice period and secure a better opportunity.
She smiled and coldly responded, "Then I’ll have to give you a D-band rating since you’re leaving, which means no hike. I’ll give your band to someone else instead." That “someone” was an individual who had barely contributed throughout the entire year. She immediately called HR and urgently requested a change in my rating before the finalization.
The Horror Begins
Shortly after, HR called me and stated that, based on my manager’s recommendation, I had no dependencies in the team and hadn’t been working for the past five months. Their next words shocked me:
"Since there’s no dependency, can you leave immediately?"
Where was the company policy now?
After three years of honest work, I was leaving on my own terms, yet they wanted to push me out as if I was being laid off. The HR representative, in a dominating tone, insisted, "What’s the issue? We’ll give you two weeks. Just give your consent that you're willing to leave early, and we’ll send the mail."
I firmly rejected their offer, but fear crept in. They had already shown they could break policies whenever convenient—what if they forced me out at any moment during my notice period?
For the next three months, my manager used this situation as a tool to mentally harass me. The stress was relentless.
The Regret
It’s been a year since I left, and my only regret is not leaving sooner. As a introvert I realized how others starts to treat you as a puch over just because you are unable to say much. Companies often preach about policies and ethics, yet they bend the rules whenever it suits them. They exploit employees under the guise of company culture. only to discard them when it no longer benefits them.
I learned my lesson the hard way.
U made lots of mistakes but it's good u learnt all lessons with just 1 manager n 1 company.
- If ur seniors are buttering u and doing all sweet talk then be attentive. Especially if it's a female senior. (I am female senior).
- Seniors who are direct are way much better n u will learn a lot in work
- Never share that u don't have offers in hand if u don't have one.
- Never share ur personal or family health matters. Remember in other countries no one asks u about ur personal things
- Never share personal things with office friends n colleagues no matter how close cuz it will b out in public someday. Maybe by mistake also.
Hope u r doing fine now. Office politics are very depressing. And the way ppl treat eachother is worst.
So the secret to get early release if you already have an offer and they want immediate joiner is to resign & tell your manager you don't have any offers lined up?
To add to this... Never resign unless you have got the hike finalized, if you can do so...
Whole world knows not to trust manager and HRs words, by now, and not to revoke resignation once made public to manager. And you don’t show offer letter to manager to ask for hike, it doesn’t work that way, it is like giving empty threats, like showing a gun without bullets and saying that my gun has no bullets but please be terrified!! Be more aware of these things. It is nothing to do with introverts or extroverts. Without even talking much with people, you can know all these dirty tricks of managers and HRs.
Anyway, hope other freshers read this post and take a lesson. One should preferably learn not by doing mistake onessrlf, but by observing others’ mistakes.
What if manager is willing to match the other offer ?
Hi, This is same everywhere. Initially I too felt bad when they escalated for a reason which i was not even aware off. Its more like if you are making money for them, they will be ur friends and if you plan to leave, then they will be your enemy.
Things that I do,:
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Strict boundary between work and personal life. I will make sure that nobody in the workplace knows about my personal life.
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Dont expect anything from them. You are there to work and money. Thats all. Nobody is a family or family member. Do your work and go home.
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Any formal conversation has to be through official platforms and not by mouth.
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Finally, accept that ppl are like that. The way someone treats you depends on them not you.
Be good at your skills, focus on your life and go forward. Remember, how much someone crushes does not matter, you always will have have a value.
As an introvert and in this industry for 20 years, I want to give free advice to you, please do acting of an extrovert in the office. You will be a master of acting in few days, but do it.
And if an offer is in hand, never ever negotiate in current organisation, at max they will give you 10%, not more. So respect the offer and move on. Your call to manager about negotiations is completely unnecessary. Rather you should have to inform her that "you are resigning"... That's it..
Never believe female managers or females. Their thinking is light years ahead than you. I am so blunt even in office.
What should I reply if she asks, why are you resigning?
For immediate relieving forced by HR Did you get any 3 month salary??
They tried, I fought and completed my 3 months, but still seeing people go down to this level was not expected, so I decided to share with the community
You served 3 month notice periods right?? Why?? U can left immediately and get 3 month salary right??
Bro I am joining MasterCard. I hope you are not taking about that since it’s not service based. How has your experience been in MasterCard ?
No I was talking about "biggest service based company this country", culture at Mastercard is good, at the same time growth is also amazing.
Got it . Cool thanks.
You’re young, you don’t have a family—so you should dedicate all your time to work.”
This line remind of a video by Amit Sangwan. https://youtube.com/@clarityforyouth
Good to see people actually follow his videos, they're excellent for corporate life.
I have heard similar stories from service companies before.
Hi ,
It’s alright. Yes it was a painful experience but it’s okay. We learn from our mistakes and any loss that has happened to you has only happened because we were a little naive and may be because did not have anyone to guide us in such situations.
Regardless, always always remember. Once you have made up your mind to step out…there is no way you return back. No way at alll !
People are going to treat you very differently , could be in your favour but most likely it won’t be. And we all know given the industry’s competitiveness, it’s difficult to get a good offer.
I guess that is the only learning you need to take from this. ( I am sure you already must have, please don’t bash me for repeating)
And also that there are both good and bad people everywhere in the industry, and it could be difficult for one to identify who is good and not. Just know that a good manager/peer will never stop you from progressing be it in the org or outside.
Good people will be honest enough to let you take the call on what is good for you and what is not. Prioritise yourself and your peace of mind, and it’s okay to be greedy for yourself, because no one else will be as much as you can .
What if manager is willing to match the other offer in hand ?
TCS