A Bengaluru man has sparked a viral conversation about "ethical bankruptcy" in the job industry after being laid off just days before his three-month probation ended. Despite giving the role his "blood and sweat," he was shocked to learn from the founder that the decision to dissolve his team had been in the works for nearly 10 months. He questioned why the startup continued to hire new employees into roles it already planned to eliminate.
“Hired to Fail? The Ugly Truth of ‘Startup Culture’ & Disposable Employees,” Jeevan, whose Instagram bio indicates he is in Bengaluru, posted. He continued that he was laid off on January 30. “My access was revoked, my Slack deactivated, and I was escorted out—just days before completing my 3-month probation.”
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He revealed, “I gave this role my blood and sweat. I worked 10-7, pushed through the chaos, and committed 100% to the vision. But here is the reality check that every job seeker needs to hear: Yesterday, the Founder sat across from me and admitted that discussions to dissolve this team had been ongoing for 9 to 10 months.”
The man questioned that, if management was already aware that the team was going to dissolve, why did they hire more people?
{{/usCountry}}The man questioned that, if management was already aware that the team was going to dissolve, why did they hire more people?
{{/usCountry}}“Why did you throw us into the fire with zero Knowledge Transfer (KT), demand immediate numbers, and then claim we ‘didn’t deliver’? This isn’t about ‘business decisions.’ This is about ethical bankruptcy. You onboarded human beings into a sinking ship, squeezed a few months of labor out of them, and then discarded them like assets on a balance sheet.”
Jeevan explained that he was offered “1.5 months’ severance” and was told that he should be grateful for that. “We are offered 1.5 months’ severance, and I am told I should be grateful. But who answers for the career gap? Who answers for the mental exhaustion? Who answers for the lie that was sold to us during the interview? Job security in 2026 is a myth, but basic professional integrity shouldn’t be. If we don’t raise our voices against this ‘hire and fire’ arrogance, nothing will change.”
He concluded his post with a note for the startup founders: “To the Founders and Board: You didn’t just fail your ‘numbers.’ You failed your people.”
HT.com has reached out to Jeevan, this report will be updated when he responds.
How did social media react?
An individual posted, “It's scary to realise how disposable we are. Hope the universe rewards you for all your efforts.” Another expressed, “An old turtle used to say: Yesterday is history, tomorrow is mystery. But today is a gift. That is why it’s called a present. Today, they might not know your worth. But now you have an opportunity to come back. Make it greater than your setback.” Jeevan responded, “Yeah, brother, thank you for being there.”
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A third commented, “Don’t worry too much, just MOVE ON.” A fourth wrote, “This is the risk of working in a startup.”