Ownership of work - SDE-2 Master-O Employee Review

The only real positive here is Founder & CEO Kartik Mohla. He genuinely seems to want the company and employees to grow. Unfortunately, the people around him seem fully committed to making sure that vision never reaches reality.

In 2 years, I learned that the biggest problem here is not the work, it’s the people running the environment. HR seems less interested in hiring or supporting employees and more interested in gossip, backbiting, favoritism, and maintaining his tiny “inner circle.” When multiple hires don’t survive, maybe the problem isn’t always the hires. The so-called Tech Lead talks a lot about code quality, but delivers more ego than technical skill. Take away Claude/AI, and reality hits hard very quickly. He preaches standards, writes directly on servers, takes credit for others’ work, and abuses people behind their backs - especially once they leave, or when they’re not in front of him. Very bold behavior, as long as the person isn’t in the room. There’s a saying that one rotten fish can destroy the whole pond - and sadly, this so-called Tech Lead fits that role perfectly. Office culture feels less like a workplace and more like a school with surveillance: come on time, but leaving on time is a fantasy, tea breaks are apparently a privilege unless you belong to the “chosen circle,” every movement gets noticed, and for a company of just 10–12 people, the politics are somehow more intense than a national election. Even after employees leave, they still remain a topic of discussion. Your LinkedIn, Instagram, and career moves are apparently still watched like you’re some retired celebrity they just can’t stop talking about. That alone tells you everything about the maturity level of the culture.

Only suitable for absolute beginners who want basic exposure — but at a personal cost. Nothing more.

No work-life balance. Late-night working is normal, with no overtime pay or compensation. Toxic internal politics – favoritism is rampant, and genuine efforts go unnoticed unless you're in the “good books.” No policies are followed. It's a classic “lala company” where the owner makes all decisions based on mood, not merit. Blame culture: If you resign or leave, anything that goes wrong later is blamed on you, regardless of your involvement. Terrible place for experienced individuals – zero respect, no space for creativity, and constant micromanagement. Salary deductions without explanation, no bonus, and leaves are denied even in emergencies. Employees are terminated without notice or proper grounds. High attrition – most employees leave within 6–12 months due to the unbearable environment. Fake appreciation, no real rewards, and variable pay is just a myth. Leadership lacks professionalism – inflated egos, poor communication, and no transparency.