A recent social media post by user Siddharth has brought to the forefront a concerning aspect of workplace culture in India, shedding light on the pervasive practice of employers leveraging “unnecessary family ties” to manipulate employees into working more and accepting less.
Siddharth recounted the story of his cousin, who faced emotional coercion from his boss upon resigning after a decade of dedicated service. The boss, expressing disappointment, resorted to guilt-tripping by claiming, “I treated you like a brother.”
This anecdote sparked a broader conversation initiated by Siddharth, who criticized the prevalent trend of exploiting such familial relationships in the workplace. He highlighted how these “unnecessary family ties” are often exploited by employers to circumvent crucial responsibilities such as providing fair salary increments, compensating for overtime work, and acknowledging additional workload.
“In India, we still have this uncle and bhaiya thing which exploits workers at the workplace. Don’t hike the salary, say we are like family and fool the workers. Unnecessary ‘family ties’ at work to save paying on overtime and extra work,” Siddharth wrote on X, catalyzing a viral discourse on the subject.
Within just a day of being shared, Siddharth’s post has garnered significant attention, amassing over 39,000 views and nearly 500 likes. It has resonated deeply with individuals from various backgrounds, sparking a vibrant discussion about the implications of such manipulative tactics in professional settings.
Here’s what other X users had to say about this thought-provoking post:
- “Couldn’t have said it better!” remarked one X user, echoing the sentiment expressed by Siddharth.
- Another user emphasized the insidious nature of this practice, stating, “It is just a way to emotionally coerce a person to undervalue themselves. Nothing more than emotional blackmail.”
This incident underscores the urgent need for organizations to prioritize transparency, fairness, and professionalism in their dealings with employees, rather than resorting to emotional manipulation under the guise of familial bonds. Siddharth’s post serves as a potent reminder for both employers and employees to advocate for a workplace environment characterized by respect, equity, and mutual trust.
