TFS Gulf
  • All categories
    • inPractice
    • Entrepreneur Story
    • Finance Leaders
    • Videos
TheFinanceStory
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • Register
Book 1:1 session with industry experts!
  TFS Gulf
  • All categories
    • inPractice
    • Entrepreneur Story
    • Finance Leaders
    • Videos
The finance story
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • Register
Book 1:1 session with industry experts!
The Finance Story
No Result
View All Result

Former Big 4 employee shares about working with a stressful & toxic manager

The tragic news of a young McKinsey India employee's suicide, sparked a crucial inquiry: Why aren't managers held accountable for fostering toxic environments, shaping organizational culture negatively?

The Finance Story by The Finance Story
Published date: 27th March, 2024
Last edited date: 29th March, 2024
SHARE (0)
Former Big 4 employee shares about working with a stressful & toxic manager
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Pradipta Das, a former Big 4 employee didn’t have a fun experience working with the firm.
  • He took to LinkedIn to share how he was mentally harassed at the workplace by his Manager.
  • It is high time that organizations consider their employees’ well-being first.

Background

During my tenure at a Big 4 firm in Mumbai, I encountered a distressing situation while working on a GST compliance project with one of India’s largest private banks.

My manager had a rule – Any email we sent to the bank’s employees had to be reviewed by him.

With my eight years of work experience, this level of micromanagement seemed excessive and stifling.

But, I always followed this rule, however….

Micromanagement Woes

One day I sent a normal email to some users and forgot to get it reviewed by my manager.

The only mistake was that if anyone would open the Excel attachment, the 2nd tab would open instead of the 1st tab, as I had closed it that way.

An honest mistake, right?

There was no issue, no escalation. But my manager came down to the bank floor and shouted at me in front of the customers.

It was not just humiliating for me, but even for the Big 4 firm I worked for!

Unprofessional Behavior

I feel that he could have taken me to a room and given me a piece of his mind, but instead shouted at me completely unprofessionally.

Working under him was a stressful situation for me. Kaam karne ka saara ‘𝗨𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗴’ chala gaya tha.

I told him I would report this to the Ethics and Compliance department of my company…And I did.

Raised the matter with Big 4’s Ethics Team

Guess what? Nothing happened.

He had a ‘good relationship’ with his immediate senior and the incident was brushed under the carpet.

It undermined the organization’s Code of Conduct and ethical standards.

Code of Conduct, Ethics, etc. died that day.

I wanted to report this incident to the then-partner but couldn’t muster the courage. So, I changed my team, instead.

Impact on Mental Health

Working under such conditions became a source of panic for me and made me question my ability to perform my job effectively.

Final Reflections

It is not about working long hours per day. It is about the work culture that can drive people insane and affect mental health.

Managers get pressure from their managers and they simply pass on that pressure to their reportees.

Just remember: Suicide is not the solution. Please don’t do what the 25 year young soul at McKinsey & Company had to do.

Laddha who was a Chemical Engineering graduate from IIT, and an MBA from IIM, was reportedly facing immense pressure, which ultimately led to this devastating outcome.

I am assuming he faced intense ‘pressure’ at work and not implying he faced mental harassment though.

Moral of the story

Even if you don’t have an exit plan, you are getting a lower salary, or have to compromise on your salary, don’t stay in a place that plays with your mental health.

I urge others facing similar challenges not to suffer in silence and to prioritize their well-being above all else.

It’s a cautionary tale highlighting the need to stand up against toxic work environments, even if it means sacrificing job security or financial stability.

Suicide is never the solution!

The Finance Story

The Finance Story

Recommended for you

How Grant Thornton's new "multinational Platform" is expanding quietly, backed by PE
Mergers and Acquisition

Grant Thornton is expanding quietly, backed by PE

1st July, 2025 | 4 mins read
EY India Rajiv Memani to lead new India-Africa super region
Big 4

EY India Rajiv Memani now Regional Managing Partner for India-Africa super region

1st July, 2025 | 6 mins read
Ex-Stripe exec $27.5Mn fundraise: AI-transform tax & accounting firms, challenge Big 4
AI

Ex-Stripe exec $27.5Mn fundraise to acquire tax & accounting firms, challenge Big 4

26th June, 2025 | 3 mins read
Accenture CEO announces new "Reinvention Services"
AI

Accenture CEO announces new “Reinvention Services”

26th June, 2025 | 3 mins read
Accounting Firms, ripe for AI-led rollups: Yes, new target for Venture Capital
Venture Capital

Accounting firms, ripe for AI-led rollups: Yes, new target for Venture Capital

26th June, 2025 | 3 mins read
Amazon’s CEO said what others are afraid to admit: Many roles won’t survive AI
News

Amazon’s CEO said what others are afraid to admit: Many roles won’t survive AI

23rd June, 2025 | 3 mins read
Next Post
How this CA built a consulting & audit practice in Bahrain & Dubai

How this CA lost his job in 2008 crisis & started a consulting and audit firm in competitive markets like Dubai & Bahrain

Comments 2

  1. Dwarakanath CK says:
    1 year ago

    Domineering is a human tendency. Every manager is wary of the expertise and knowledge of the next generations and scared of the possible loss of their power and position.

    Power disproportionate to the age(maturity)of the first level managers can be seen as one reasons behind this culture.

    Isolation of all people related matters with HR has either kept managers away from training in people skills or make them see people skills as unnecessary.

    Race for perfection , excellence unmindful of team health can be seen as another reason .

    Quick promotions, rise in salary is a driving factor.

    Wonder what this generation of professionals would do after 40?

    God bless

    Reply
  2. Anonymous says:
    1 year ago

    In all the big4 there is crushing environment, it is a common parlance that they suck the blood out of you, always under pressure

    Reply

Start conversation Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

1:1 career advice platform

  • Manager

    Investment Banking (Front Office) at HDFC Bank.

  • Finance Director

    at Procter & Gamble (P&G)

  • Strategic Program & Ops Manager

    Risk and Internal Audit at Accenture

  • Vice President

    at Alcazar Capital

  • Manager ACR

    Accounting, Compliance and Reporting at EY

  • Senior Accountant

    at BDO Canada LLP

  • Regional Financial Coordinator and Project Manager

    at TotalEnergies

  • Accounts Manager

    at Sterling Perfumes Industries LLC (Fakhruddin Holdings)

BOOK 1:1 CALL

1:1 career advice platform

  • Manager ACR

    Accounting, Compliance and Reporting at EY

  • Senior Accountant

    at BDO Canada LLP

  • Regional Financial Coordinator and Project Manager

    at TotalEnergies

  • Accounts Manager

    at Sterling Perfumes Industries LLC (Fakhruddin Holdings)

BOOK 1:1 CALL
The Finance Story

The Finance Story empowers finance professionals—CFOs, consultants, accountants, tax experts, and bankers—to navigate critical market shifts, industry disruptions, and emerging technologies & trends.

How? We spotlight key opportunities in India and globally, equipping finance professionals with the insights and strategies to drive business growth, optimize decision-making, and position their companies at the forefront

Quick Links

  • Finance
  • Partners
  • Privacy and Policy
  • Terms of use

Follow us

  • /TheFinanceStory
  • @TheFinanceStory
  • /TheFinanceStory
  • @thefinancestory_com
  • TheFinanceStory

© 2022. The Finance Story. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • TFS Gulf
  • Entrepreneur Story
  • Finance Leaders
  • Videos
  • Login
  • Sign Up

Welcome Back!

Sign In with Google
OR

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Sign Up with Google
OR

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
We use cookies to personalize your experience. By continuing to visit this website you agree to our use of cookies.
Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?
Book 1:1 call with industry expert