Byju’s faces employee meltdown: Viral video sparks concerns over toxic work culture

New Delhi: A viral video featuring a female employee from BYJU engaged in a heated argument with her senior over incentives has raised concerns about the company’s alleged toxic work culture and long-standing grievances of its employees. 

The video, uploaded by a Twitter platform, has shed light on the challenges faced by the most valued ed-tech company in India.

In the video, the employee expresses her frustration over the lack of incentives and support, openly addressing the issue in front of her colleagues. Refusing to have a conversation with her senior inside the cabin, she passionately voices her concerns, attracting the attention of other employees who witness the altercation.

“I will talk in front of everyone. Soham sir is VP of BYJU’s, not mine or the President or Vice President of India,” she asserts, showing her determination to address the matter openly.

The unidentified employee also revealed that despite expressing her concerns earlier, she received no support from anyone. “We said that we won’t be able to work here, but we have not got any support,” she exclaims.

Kalesh b/w Employee and Byjus Companyy over giving lot’s of mental pressure during job (Unfortunately Girl is missing since then) pic.twitter.com/xzgIUbqjeq

— Ghar Ke Kalesh (@gharkekalesh) July 22, 2023

In addition to the lack of incentives, she raises issues of layoffs and alleged meager settlements of just Rs 2,000 received by employees.

The video has sparked a flurry of reactions on social media, with many users expressing solidarity with the employee and condemning BYJU’s work culture. Some users shared personal experiences of the overwhelming pressure, excessive work hours, and manipulated rating systems within the company.

3 of my friends work in Byjus(Online) and all are frustrated by the overwhelming pressure, no incentives since past year,Excessive work and manipulated rating system to avoid incentives . 6 sessions per day plus PTMs total work hours 13 hours including Meetings and everything.

— GoldBug (@TheBhardwaaj) July 23, 2023

She is very brave girl. Companies exploit employees just because they have upper hand on employees.

— Ankit Rathore (@AnkitRa92200674) July 23, 2023

Most of the IT company in India force employee to work more than 9 hours
Force them to work without any breaks or minimum breaks
Don’t give bonuses and good leave policies
Also force to work on sat sun sometimes without any incentives

I don’t know y central gvt not taking actn.

— Stan Tweet’s (@StanTweets7) July 22, 2023

@ByjusSupport what have you done with this girl ? #byjusmafia
People we need to raise our voice and demand an answer from byjus if they have in any way harmed this girl.

— Born at a very young age !! (@madhursindhi) July 22, 2023

aur ye log students ka future bright banaane ka daava karne ka dhandha chalaate hain, wo bhi forcefully, pahle apne employees ka future to sahi kar lo. There is so many such cases of BYJU employees @BYJUS @ByjusSupport

— Saraaj Hasan (@Saraaj_Hasan) July 22, 2023

This incident comes at a time when BYJU is facing significant financial stress. The company recently vacated its largest office space in Bengaluru as part of cost-cutting measures amid funding delays. Moreover, over a thousand employees were laid off last month, further adding to the uncertainty surrounding the company’s future.

Founded over a decade ago by former teacher Byju Raveendran, the ed-tech company has achieved remarkable success, raising over $5 billion in funding, mainly in the last five years. However, the current company’s financial struggles, combined with employee unrest, have raised questions about its long-term sustainability and corporate culture.