Veteran Employee Terminated for Refusing Weekend Work

Email: online@newsofbahrain.com 

A workplace dispute at a Noida-based startup has ignited a firestorm on social media after a senior professional, boasting 12 years of experience, alleged he was terminated for refusing to work over a weekend while unwell. The employee, who had joined the four-year-old firm just two months before overseeing U.S. e-commerce operations, shared his ordeal on Reddit, sparking a broader debate on the ‘toxic’ work culture often associated with rapidly growing startups. According to the post, the situation deteriorated shortly after his arrival when a new manager was hired to lead his team. The employee claimed this new lead restructured sales targets to ‘unrealistic’ levels without considering market constraints and began a pattern of intense micromanagement, frequently demanding work during late nights and weekends.

The conflict reportedly reached a breaking point when the employee informed his manager that he was feeling ill and would be unable to work on a specific Saturday. Upon returning to the office the following Monday, he was allegedly served an ultimatum: resign immediately or face termination for ‘poor performance’. The employee highlighted the vulnerability of his probationary status, noting that despite his decade-plus of experience, the company used the clause to bypass standard termination protections. He further shared the personal toll of the dismissal, stating he is the sole breadwinner for his family and currently lives in rented accommodation, which has added significant financial stress to his sudden unemployment.

The incident has resonated deeply with the online professional community, with many users on Reddit and LinkedIn criticising the company for prioritising productivity over employee well-being. Commentators pointed out that such "resign or be terminated" tactics are becoming alarmingly common in the startup ecosystem, where blurred professional boundaries and 24/7 availability are often treated as unspoken requirements. The viral story has renewed calls for stronger labour protections and more transparent probation policies, as many professionals now warn against joining early-stage companies without significant financial safety nets. While the startup has not yet issued a formal public response, the outcry continues to highlight the growing friction between traditional labour rights and the high-pressure demands of modern startup culture.