- Published On Sep 19, 2025 at 01:45 PM IST
Posting achievements on social media, especially <a id=” captionrendered=”1″ data-src=”https://etimg.etb2bimg.com/photo/123993993.cms” height=”442″ href=”http://hr.economictimes.indiatimes.com/tag/linkedin” keywordseo=”LinkedIn” loading=”eager” source=”keywords” src=”https://hr.economictimes.indiatimes.com/images/default.jpg” type=”General” weightage=”20″ width=”590″>LinkedIn, is usually about career growth and networking. But for one software developer, a simple update turned into a nightmare. He revealed on Reddit that after adding a project to his profile, his office workload suddenly doubled. Instead of praise, he claims his manager and team assumed he was planning to quit and immediately began piling extra tasks on him to slow down any upskilling or job-hunting plans.
According to him, things escalated so quickly that he was assigned work meant for senior developers, despite being a junior. An insider even hinted that this was a deliberate move by his manager to keep him too busy to explore opportunities outside. Realising how exposed he was, the techie decided to block his manager and teammates on LinkedIn, leaving only a few close friends unblocked.
He warned fellow professionals to do the same, saying companies often try to hold on to employees without improving workplace culture or offering better pay. He also asked for tips on how to showcase skills and achievements online without drawing unwanted attention from bosses.
Internet reacts
Reactions poured in from other professionals who related to the techie’s situation. One person shared how, after resigning, their manager immediately began dumping every tiny task and bug on them, tagging them constantly just to keep them occupied. Another said that in many Indian workplaces, even the slightest suspicion of an employee leaving translates into the exact opposite of what global HR teams call a retention strategy.
Some felt the root issue lies in organisational culture and how seriously HR enforces it. A former EY employee explained that they used to handle this by applying new skills directly at the workplace. That way, managers saw the enthusiasm and felt involved, reducing suspicion. But they added that managers often panic either way—if you don’t share, they assume you’re planning to quit; if you do, they worry you’re trying to replace them.
Others argued that the real problem isn’t LinkedIn at all, but toxic team dynamics. They pointed out that LinkedIn is meant to showcase skills, share tutorials, and connect with peers, and in healthier environments, teammates even encourage such activity. Unless someone is working on personal projects during company hours with company resources, it should be none of the employer’s business.
A few, however, suggested a different perspective. They wondered if the manager assigning senior-level work might also signal recognition of potential, perhaps even preparation for a future role. While not dismissing the possibility of a negative narrative, they noted that many employees end up doing work for the next role long before they’re formally promoted.
- Published On Sep 19, 2025 at 01:45 PM IST
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