A 26-year-old Mumbai woman has sparked a major conversation online after revealing that she resigned from her job when her boss allegedly shouted at her publicly for asking to be paid for overtime work.
Dhrupadi, who worked as a vocal coach at a music ed-tech company, shared her experience in a viral Instagram video that has now crossed thousands of views and triggered widespread debate about toxic workplace culture, unpaid overtime, and employee dignity.
In her emotional post, Dhrupadi explained that while she was willing to work hard and accept challenges, public humiliation was something she could not tolerate.
According to her, the issue began after she requested compensation for extra hours spent working beyond her official schedule after nearly three years with the company.
“After working for 2 years and 7 months in a company and maintaining a strong reputation in my role, I asked for compensation for extra hours being put into work beyond my official schedule,” she shared.
Instead of receiving support, she claimed she was publicly shouted at in front of hundreds of people.
A clip shared in her video allegedly captured her boss saying, “Everybody has to align to my rules and regulations. If you do not like it, please leave tomorrow.”
Dhrupadi said she eventually followed that advice and resigned from her role.
However, she clarified that her decision was not impulsive. Before quitting, she reportedly raised concerns internally and sought accountability along with a formal apology from her manager.
“When that didn’t happen, I chose to resign,” she said.
The Mumbai-based vocal coach also explained that her viral video was not only about her personal experience but about a much bigger issue affecting young professionals across industries.
“The reel I posted was really a reflection of a much larger conversation around workplace communication, dignity, and boundaries, especially for younger professionals and creatives today,” she said.
Her remarks resonated strongly with social media users, many of whom praised her for standing up against toxic workplace behaviour and setting clear boundaries.
One user commented, “No one should tolerate toxic work culture,” while another wrote, “Until strict laws against unpaid overtime are implemented, talented professionals will continue looking for opportunities abroad.”
The viral story has once again highlighted growing concerns around workplace mental health, overtime compensation, and respectful communication between employers and employees in India’s evolving work culture.
As discussions continue online, many people are calling Dhrupadi’s decision a powerful reminder that professional success should never come at the cost of self-respect.
