Escaping Matrix: Forced to Leave Abusive Work Culture of Accenture India, Now What? Make Living on Social Media

This story describes a psychologist named A. Tiwari (in his words only) who was fired or resigned after asking one question to their director. Here the author wants to convey that if a director can fire a wellness coach for asking a critical qestion, it will deter other workers from asking questions, as it sends the message that if a director can fire a health coach for a healthy question, he can fire them too. It is concerning that workers experience fear and constant stress, yet refrain from inquiring about the negative aspects of their jobs in order to protect their employment. This situation could potentially result in an increase in the misuse of authority by Accenture's managers, as well as a deterioration of fundamental human rights and dignity within the workplace.

Regrettably, 24x7 work cultures featuring 10- to 15-hour shifts are the most prevalent scams in Indian corporate careers. Influential figures like Infosys founder Narayana Murthy (now retired) and Ola founder Bhavesh Agrawal continue to mislead youth by pushing a 14–20-hour work culture. They are lying about working these lengthy hours.

Indeed, LinkedIn creator Reid Hoffman predicts the end of 9-5 work by 2034.

After graduating in 2012 and transitioning from part-time to full-time work, I've been striving to progress and attain stability without sacrificing my values of working in a healthy environment. I'm now over 30. According to 2022 data, India's life expectancy is 67.74 years. I've almost enjoyed my half-life, but I don't have the stability, package, or success I deserve for my age and experience.

The following unpleasant workplace realities sadden me:

Imagine corporate workers facing more verbal abuse, control, abrupt training, and shift change instructions when the 9-5 Indian government work paradigm is a farce, and government bankers and officers work extra hours under rigorous and formal directions.

• If Henry Ford could utilize this strategy to recruit personnel from other automakers in the 1800s, imagine what Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos can do now.
• However, the modern industrialists seem to be prioritizing investing in automation, which could eliminate millions of jobs.
• Another surprising truth is that 100 million Indians (in 2024) are unemployed and cannot find basic jobs that match their skills.

Now consider that 24/7 corporate slavery is affecting the mental and physical health of workers in most modern jobs and may lead to an inevitable collapse due to situations like mine.

My Case and Lessons

I have consistently been the first to arrive at school, a trait I have carried into my employment. Once, I was unexpectedly fired. I worried about telling my father and siblings and paying my bills when I returned home. A complaint with pictures of a chat with a health coach named "Ramteke" cost me my job at Genpact India's Hyderabad branch in 2024. He repeatedly told me in the workplace cafeteria and wellness rooms, "Someone must have abused me in my childhood, as my skin is very fair." Neither the client nor #TruWorth Wellness took any action. Despite my promise to never return, the abuser persisted even after I left. The wellness team manager at 简柏特 failed to take action for two months after I brought up this issue, which prompted my departure.

To find a new job quickly, I asked my vendor for a referral to Accenture in India (Mumbai). While shadowing a group wellness session, I observed five female content reviewers complaining about their long 9.5-hour shifts, which start at 3 pm and end at midnight. The fact that their week offs do not extend to weekends presented them with challenges in meeting their children.

I am lawfully using this example for public interest, as I am not disclosing the identity, address, or appearance of the individuals I heard from during the wellness session.

The next day, I met with Accenture's Navi Mumbai Office Director Mr. Kamat Darshan and a foreign employee named Marvin Langner1. After my introduction, I mentioned:

"People are talking on social media that all they want is a work-life balance, and that the opposition leader has also asked the Indian government to ask companies to look into this matter."

He responded that we adhere to the labor code, which restricts workers to 48 hours per week (9.5 x 5 = 47.5 hours), and that we bear no responsibility for individuals residing in other parts of the city who arrive late for work.

1: Many foreigners who work in Indian MNCs do not recommend an 8-hour shift because it is not their native country. If Indian managers and leaders disregard human rights and working conditions, why should foreigners?        

Mr. Kamat might have later communicated with Ms. Banali, the wellness team manager, and others. My vendor then informed me that a top management official had complained about my misbehavior, terminating me.

According to them, I disrupted the wellness training by informing the trainer that her poor behavior had negatively impacted the energy in the room, a situation that could have been prevented with a warning. However, I simply pointed out to the trainer that she was setting an excessively harsh example for the newly hired Meta content moderators during her training session. Saying things like:

• "The content was so graphic and negative that one day a content moderator vanished for 10 days, and upon his return, he had no recollection of his previous two weeks."

And I objected to her example because it evoked unpleasant memories of my actual brother, who had gone missing for nearly two weeks back in 2022.

Ms. Sheetal from Accenture did not respond to my explanation request until the last day of my notice period. My vendor HR told me that the director didn't like me asking what they are doing for workplace wellness. Why? Perhaps he held the position of superior, and my inquiry could have shattered preconceived notions about acceptable behavior for a subordinate.

• I informed both of my immediate managers at the firm about my auditory dyslexia and auditory processing issues, but they ignored them.

If you are also dealing with challenging workplace conditions, consider the following recommendations for action: -

• Recognize the symptoms of burnout and regularly assess your condition to see if it has affected your focus, productivity, sleep, and interpersonal interactions.
• Ask your workplace wellness resource person if you can express your needs in an open-ended manner, then do so through the appropriate channel. Don't forget to record each step of these activities.
• Fixing boundaries: To avoid overworking and listening unnecessarily to your management, you can fix healthy boundaries and avoid taking responsibility that has not been communicated to you in writing.
• Look for alternative career options: opt for a job that gives you more control over your schedule, such as flexible, remote, or self-employed work. It's ideal to secure a job in your hometown to alleviate the stress of living alone in other cities.
• Asking for help and support can help you feel understood and empowered. If the situation is out of control and talking to the internal EAP could result in losing your job, seek immediate outside help. If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, please consult a skilled suicide prevention expert immediately.

I'm taking charge and considering to work on social media

• I aim to use social media for meditation and communicate honestly and assertively in the next decade.
• Data shows that social media can help you sell to your local audience, and becoming a brand is easy, especially in your state.

Who is the recent Bigg Boss winner and OTT 3 contender Shivani Kumari? Kanpur native Shivani Kumari. She gained millions of rupees at 23 without changing her accent or adopting formal English to impress.

(*.*) Wait, it's incomplete.

• As a social media influencer or content generator, you can use your own style to develop fresh, local ideas based on your talents, enthusiasm, and work without long hours like bonded labor.
• You can use your imagination to start a business that helps others without a boss or much money.

“Stop debating what a decent man is. Be one.” Marcus Aurelius.

• This change usually helps me write to change my career, and QuillBot can assist LD people write more accurately.
• A psychologist shouldn't be diplomatic, refuse clarification, or ignore employee maltreatment; thus, I appreciate originality and will continue to do so. I should avoid groups that promote these activities.

No more.

As it is visible that Indian corporate leaders won't tolerate honest communication, and you don't want to be worried about losing a job because you love asking some real questions, especially if you have dyslexia, then after leaving your job, the easiest alternate work for you can be an online writing and teaching job, and I am also working on it.

Takeaway

• As a wellness consultant, I want to ask supervisors and managers about work-life balance and what works and doesn't in their organizations without fear of losing my job.
• How will you navigate silent abuse and lawful corporate bonded labor and protect your future?

How can I help you?

• I can assist you in conducting a comprehensive self-reflection session prior to initiating your next project.
• Before beginning anything new, stand up, consult with others, not just myself, and seek guidance.

Disclaimer:

Please only reach out to me if you have a similar experience and would like to engage in an open conversation where we can discuss all aspects of the project, case, company, and yourself. If you are a psychologist, a psychology student, or an aspiring psychologist, please do not expect that "talking to me" will help you find a job in 20 countries or become an independent RCI psychologist. I am not promoting a false dream, as some edtech companies in India are currently doing.

"I am not an institute or RCI-accredited resource. However, talking to me or another psychologist can be more purposeful and cheaper than Mumbai-Goa airfare."