A Bengaluru-based software engineer recently made headlines after walking away from his so-called dream job, not due to poor performance, but because of an emotionally draining and toxic work culture. His story, shared by Shravan Tickoo on LinkedIn, has since gone viral, resonating with thousands online.
The story was shared by Shravan Tickoo, founder of an AI startup in Bengaluru, who wrote about the techie’s experience in a heartfelt LinkedIn post. Tickoo clarified that the young engineer didn’t leave because he was underperforming, but because the constant stress and lack of support at work left him emotionally exhausted.
“I cried on a G-Meet because I asked for clarity on a project. That’s how bad it got,” the techie told Tickoo.
No Support, Only Pressure
According to Tickoo, the engineer received no formal onboarding or structural guidance. Instead, he was expected to “figure it out” on his own. When he struggled to meet unclear expectations, the result wasn’t mentorship, but public humiliation.
The situation worsened with time. Tickoo wrote that the techie’s manager frequently called at odd hours, dismissed his concerns, and shifted the blame instead of providing help. Eventually, when the engineer chose to resign in hopes of peace, he was met with a cruel remark:
“Good luck finding another job. Let’s see how long you last there.This Isn’t Just Toxic. This Is Trauma”
Tickoo powerfully described the situation:
“People don’t leave companies. They leave environments where their dignity is no longer safe.”
He used the post as an appeal to value empathetic leadership and good managers, the kind who make even the hardest jobs feel worthwhile.
Social media Responds with Empathy and outrage
The post struck a chord online, prompting a wave of emotional responses. One LinkedIn user described it as a “hard-hitting reminder” of how poor leadership can severely impact mental health. Another called it “heartbreaking but sadly not uncommon,” emphasizing the need for people-first workplaces.
“We shall land our dream job, but we must keep looking till we find one that respects us,” commented one user.
“Toxic managers don’t just affect output—they destroy confidence. Here’s to the leaders who still lead with empathy,” added another.
Shravan Tickoo’s viral post has gone beyond just one man’s experience. It has become a mirror held up to toxic work environments that value performance metrics over people. A little empathy goes a long way, and good managers aren’t just appreciated—they’re essential.
Empathy goes a long way, and good managers aren’t just appreciated—they’re essential.
