Facing a Toxic Boss? How to Handle Yelling and Office Politics in India

Recently, I had an opportunity to work with a very esteemed and decent company in Delhi. However, within a week, it was noticed that the VP of the department was in the habit of shouting and yelling at juniors. In fact, during a department meeting, it was announced that shouting and yelling at juniors was the VP's right and no one could question it. Juniors were not allowed to speak to other departments. Bad office politics were being followed in the department. The working environment was not healthy. New recruits were facing huge problems from colleagues and a few seniors.

Very soon, it was my turn, and one day the VP started his routine job of shouting and yelling at me in his cabin. The same day, the VP called me a second time and repeated the action, but this time I recorded his conversation on my phone. We went to the CEO of the company, and I told the CEO to at least listen once to his statements that passed to humiliate and threaten juniors. However, he considered the recording illegal as it was made without permission from the VP.

1. My query is: will anyone doing wrong give permission to record?
2. Is it illegal to record a conversation and use it as proof for self-defense as per Indian law?
3. Why do seniors consider it their right to shout at juniors or create false issues to satisfy their egos?
4. Is there any law in India against such seniors who are arrogant and shrewd and exploit their juniors for their own benefits?
5. Why does the HR department, despite knowing the rotten practices followed in the department, not take action?

Please Help!

Recording a conversation is not a good practice and can be viewed as unfair under the standing orders of the company. It may have the same interpretation as copying records of the company and using them for personal gain, which is not allowed by law.

If your VP lacks courtesy or is ignorant of office etiquette, it will be very hard for you to continue working with him. Therefore, the only solution is to distance yourself from him and encourage others to do the same. Only then will the Board of Directors consider replacing him. If you feel strongly about this, you can seek assistance from the Human Rights Commission. However, for employees below the level of supervisors, the Labor Department may provide some help.

Regards, Madhu.T.K

Hi,

I was at the senior post, and so was the VP. Unfortunately, my other colleagues were fresher, and most of them were in their first or second job. My seniors were safe as they had joined at the same time as the VP and are quite stable. They had learned to handle such colleagues with time.

It means that at the end of the day, the innocent and hardworking person is the loser. The juniors will never gather the courage to complain, and the seniors are not bothered to complain against the VP.

Sad, very sad for professional people in India who want to work with respect and grace!