Chirag Madaan, who shared his experience on Instagram, said he left his ₹17 LPA role due to what he described as a toxic work environment and pressure to mis-sell financial products. His post has since resonated with many, prompting others in the banking sector to share similar stories.
Expectations vs Reality
Madaan explained that he joined the job expecting a stable 9-to-5 routine. However, the reality quickly turned more demanding. According to him, working hours stretched from 9 am to 7 pm, and the standard five-day workweek often became six days.
He also highlighted the lack of basic work-life balance, claiming employees barely had time to eat, with lunch breaks limited to just 15 minutes. Leave policies, he added, were equally strict, requiring detailed justifications even for sick leave.
Pressure to Perform
A major concern raised by Madaan was the intense pressure to meet aggressive sales targets. He alleged that employees were expected to close deals worth up to ₹10 crore every month.
Failure to meet these targets often resulted in harassment from senior management, he claimed. The constant pressure to restart targets each month in a competitive market environment made the job increasingly stressful and unsustainable.
Mis-Selling Practices
Madaan identified mis-selling as one of the most troubling aspects of his role. He recalled an instance where a client had been sold investment products that delivered returns lower than fixed deposits.
He stated that bankers are often forced into such practices due to performance pressure, despite widespread financial illiteracy among customers. This ethical dilemma, he said, played a major role in his decision to quit.
Concerns Over Product Recommendations
He also criticized the push to sell costly in-house trading platforms, questioning their value when compared to lower-cost alternatives like Zerodha and Groww.
Madaan argued that recommending expensive products to customers—ones he himself wouldn’t use—felt unjustifiable, further reinforcing his decision to leave.
Social Media Reactions
His post quickly gained traction, with many users sharing similar experiences.
Several commenters spoke about quitting banking roles due to toxic environments and relentless sales pressure. Others echoed concerns about mis-selling practices, claiming customers are often unaware of the products they are sold.
One user mentioned leaving a job at Axis Bank for similar reasons, while another described ongoing challenges even in backend roles. Many pointed out that the pressure peaks during financial year-end periods, when sales targets intensify.
A Larger Conversation
Madaan’s story has opened up a broader discussion about workplace ethics, employee well-being, and customer trust in the banking industry.
As more professionals come forward with similar accounts, the conversation highlights the growing need for healthier work cultures and more transparent financial practices.
